Celebrating the New Male Professionals: Portraits by Thomas Eakins

Introduction

Through art, Eakins portrayed themes of America with vicious honesty and is considered as the heroes of many other artists who contributed immensely to the growth and development of art establishment in America. Portraits of famous global artists such as Lucian Freud drew their inspiration from Eakins in addition to Reginald Marsh, Dorothea Lange, and Robert Henri (Nagel 41). Despite being at odds with the art establishment in America, Eakins left a strong mark in the world of art and especially in his portrayal of the male species in their various professions.

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Eakins became the pioneers of professional art in which he explored pictorial games such as baseball. He defied the odds and notions to depict athletes, presented them in practice, especially during times of profound psychological events. Eakins used unorthodox methods to portray male athletes, conveying realistic moods-happy or sad (Nagel 42). He won both friends and foe in his male depictions with some critics opposing his naked depictions.

IN the case of professional boxers, Eakins portrayed the participants especially during moments of psychological engagement. His artwork made constant exploration of the participants together with the moment of glory and commitment. His paintings of the Schuylkill River scullers Benard Biglin and John for the many sceneries of races along the Delaware River. The same art reflected Eakins captivation with reflection beauty. His perspective drawings of the males in their professions is a clear depiction and love for the male's vigor and passion with their jobs (Nagel 43). However, some of his representations did not win him support as many men were not enthusiastic to have him portray or paint them. His male expressions were not only haunting but also captivating and engaging. The portraits were not traditional, but skillful, and realistic. Using art to depict much of the male's profession, Eakins stood out as radical, stubborn, and nonconformist. He portrayed the male's physical agility and professional work engagement as a root of art.

Thomas Eakins reflects Americas 19th century passionate involvement in sporting events, action-oriented engagements, in addition to the immense love for their traditions rooted in a rich history of diversity. Eakins portraits can be linked to the era of discovery in which many discoveries were made, unearthed, and civilization took root in the American society (Nagel 43). He not only stood out as the pioneer of going deeper into using human anatomy to depict art but also did it controversially and unapologetically that enabled art lovers to appreciate his philosophy behind his portraits.

For Eakins, art stood out as a fashionable idealization in which he showcased his passion for both male and female engagements. For example, "The Gross Clinic" of 1875 took Eakins over a year to produce. In the painting, Dr. Samuel Gross is portrayed undertaking an operation on a patient. The painting was later shown in the US Army Post Hospital despite being rejected by the Art Gallery. The painting came out as one of the best artwork produced by Eakins and depicting a male profession deep in his work. America has been grounded in work ethics, disciple, dedication, and passion for one's interest (Nagel 44). It is no doubt that the "The Gross Clinic" is one of the best portraits showcasing America's deep involvement in biotechnology. Together with Gross's students, the painting is a clear depiction of the interest America had in learning, growth, and development in various fields. The Gross Clinic is considered as one of the best portraits with the most significant impressions of a male profession engaged in his work.

Distinctive features mark The Gross Clinic in which Dr. Gross represents the diverse working class of America. It's an imposing figure of a dedicated servant, worker, professional, and teacher. While lecturing his students, Dr. Gross comes across as a devoted and domineering figure of the neurosurgeon, dressed in black apart from the oozing blood from his hand while holding the scalpel. His "rock" face depicts a moment of America's engaged moment with all its responsibility to remain the most powerful nation on earth. The surgeon is carrying the weight of the world, the obligation to stay active in the face of all challenges of making discoveries, solving global problems, and education other nations on the same (Nagel 46). Eakins portrait is not only symbolic, but also figurative with a deep emotional attachment that is noted on the faces of the students. Eakins portrays the surgeon as a modern star. The portrait depicts America as a hero, a superstar, and a guiding angel for other nations to learn and follow.

Conclusion

Eakins himself was an athlete, an ambitious man intent on portraying the activities around him bravely (Nagel 46). He enjoyed outdoor activities and never wasted opportunities to showcase his technical skills. He applied investigative candor, away from the artiness and glamour occasioned with the majority of paintings in the early and mid-19th century of such artists such as John Singer and James McNeill. Eakins portraits is a clear manifestation of a nation on self-discovery and the passion for leading from the front in all major professions.

Works Cited

Nagel, Ronald L. "Thomas Eakins: Painter of Doctors and Other American" Doers."" Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine 20.1 (2016): 41-47.