Study for an Arcadian 1910

Thomas Eakins made this painting, 'Study for an Arcadian', with oil on canvas. It's all drama, a contrast of light and dark. I can imagine Eakins building up the figure out of bold strokes, scraping away, layering, and intuitively finding form. It is quite sculptural, isn't it? The surface of the paint catches the light, giving texture to the form. The strong diagonal slash of light across the back really strikes me. It’s like a physical sensation, a jolt of energy. I imagine Eakins stepping back, squinting, and then with a decisive gesture, laying down that stroke with conviction. It reminds me of the way Velasquez worked. The way one painter can be in conversation with another across time—each pushing the limits of the medium. Ultimately, the way Eakins handles paint is what holds my attention, how he suggests form with such economy of means, leaving so much unsaid.