Left to right: Young Eakins at age 22, Eakins at about age 35 and Eakins at about age 45
Thomas Eakins—painter, sculptor, photographer, and teacher—is one of the most famous names associated with PAFA, and widely considered to be one of the greatest American artists of the 19th century. His name is inextricably linked to the history of the Academy school, and the institution's archives houses the single largest collection of primary materials for the study of his life and career.
Eakins the Artist
Thomas Eakins’s art was closely associated with Philadelphia, the city where he spent his entire career.
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Eakins the Teacher
Thomas Eakins was a born teacher, and when PAFA opened its new building in 1876, he volunteered to take over the life classes.
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Eakins the Photographer
Between 1880 and 1900, Eakins explored the medium, producing photographic portraits, preparatory studies for paintings, costumed and nude figure studies, as well as some scientific images. More…
Charles Bregler’s Thomas Eakins Collection at PAFA
PAFA’s collection of Eakins photographs, personal correspondence, drawings and oil sketches was acquired in 1985 from the estate of Charles Bregler (1864-1958). More…