Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins

Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins was an American artist born on July 25, 1844, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he passed away on June 25, 1916, in the same city. Eakins is primarily associated with the Realism movement, and he is renowned for his meticulous attention to anatomical accuracy and his commitment to depicting the human figure in a truthful manner. His work often focused on the everyday lives of people, and he is particularly noted for his portraits and genre scenes, such as "The Gross Clinic" and "The Agnew Clinic," which highlight his interest in the intersection of art and science. Eakins' career was marked by controversy, particularly due to his progressive teaching methods at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he emphasized the study of the nude human form, leading to his forced resignation in 1886. Despite these challenges, Eakins' influence on American art is profound, as he is credited with advancing the study of realism and inspiring future generations of artists.