Figure Drawings

Photograph of Female nude sitting on cloth-draped chair, facing left, ca. 1885 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Photograph presumed to be Walt Whitman by Eakins

Lady with a Setter Dog
A Drawing Manual by Thomas Eakins by Thomas Eakins, Amy Werbel (Contributor), Kathleen A. Foster (Editor)
While a teacher at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the celebrated American artist Thomas Eakins (18441916) prepared a drawing manual for his students. The manuscript developed out of his famous lectures at the Academy on linear perspective, mechanical drawing, reflections, and sculptural relief and included illustrations by the artist.

Thomas Eakins, the foremost proponent of naturalism at the beginning of the twentieth century made the study of anatomy and the nude subjects of his instruction at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His work was so true to life that his portrait of Dr. Gross showing blood on the doctor's hands as he turns from his operation to address gathered students. Contemporary Philadelphians condemned Eakins as a "butcher" for the work.

Photograph by Thomas Eakins
Eakins experimented with photography also. He was a pioneer in making multiple exposure photographs to study movement. The portrait Eakins made of his wife a portion of which is shown here shows his naturalism, the completely convincing posture and unstudied nature of her pose make her come alive in paint.

Eakins and the Photograph: Works by by Thomas Eakins and His Circle in the Collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts by Susan Danly, Cheryl Leibold

Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life PBS.org

Howard Chandler Christy

The Swimming Hole, painted in 1883 a portion of which is shown , shows Eakins' careful observation of anatomy and movement. It demonstrates his naturalist style, completely unmannered and without artifice. Photo shown is by Eakins, Eakins's students at "The Swimming Hole.

Study of a reclining male model, Eakins