Description
Book SynopsisThe young Thomas Eakins''s most revealing letterspublished here for the first time
The most revealing and interesting writings of American artist Thomas Eakins are the letters he sent to family and friends while he was a student in Paris between 1866 and 1870. This book presents all these letters in their entirety for the first time; in fact, this is the first edition of Eakins''s correspondence from the period. Edited and annotated by Eakins authority William Innes Homer, this book provides a treasure trove of new information, revealing previously hidden facets of Eakins''s personality, providing a much richer picture of his artistic development, and casting fresh light on his debated psychosexual makeup. The book is illustrated with the small, gemlike drawings Eakins included in his correspondence, as well as photographs and paintings.
In these letters, Eakins speaks openly and frankly about human relationships, male companionship, marriage, and women. In vivi
Trade Review
"Although there are a number of excellent biographies, critical works, and published collections of the work of seminal American artist Thomas Eakins, this is the first collection of his letters from his years as a student in Paris (1866-70)... Highly recommended for scholars and art history students as well as general readers and young adults."--Library Journal "Homer has been writing and lecturing about Eakins for 40 years, and his familiarity adds much to his annotations of these letters; he captures their essence even in the briefest synopses. Homer's second volume, collecting later Eakins letters, should continue to present this lucid perspective and, more important, promises further firsthand insights."--Edith Newhall, ArtNews
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix Introduction: Thomas Eakins: The Artist and His Letters 1 Chapter 1: 1866 9 Chapter 2: 1867 79 Chapter 3: 1868 187 Chapter 4: 1869 237 Chapter 5: 1870 293 Chapter 6: The Spanish Notebook (1870) 299 Chapter 7: Letters & Theories after 1870: A Summary 309 Collection Code Key 321 List of Owners of Thomas Eakins Letters 323 Selected Bibliography 331 Index 333 Letter Credits and Permissions 341
