Thomas Eakins: Art, Medicine, and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia

About this book

The life and work of Thomas Eakins (18441916) Americas most celebrated portrait painter have long generated heated controversy. In this fresh and deeply researched interpretation of the artist Amy Werbel sets Eakins in the context of Philadelphias scientific medical and artistic communities of the 19th century and considers his provocative behavior in the light of other well-publicized scandals of his era. This illuminating perspective provides a rich alternative account of Eakins and casts entirely new light on his renowned paintings. Eakins modern critics have described his artistic motivations and beliefs as prurient and even pathological. Werbel challenges these interpretations and suggests instead that Eakins is best understood as an artist and teacher devoted to an exacting and profound study of the human body to equality for women and men and to middle-class meritocratic and Quaker philosophies.