Portrait Of Francesco Romano 1904

Thomas Eakins painted this portrait of Francesco Romano with oil on canvas. Eakins' brushwork is loose and expressive, and the colour palette is very warm, built on browns, and creams, which gives the painting a sense of intimacy and immediacy. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is applied in layers, building up the form and texture of the face and clothing. The brushstrokes are particularly visible in the background. You can almost feel the artist working, adjusting the tones and values to capture the sitter's likeness. The way the light catches the man's face, highlighting his features, reminds me of Velázquez, but with an American sensibility. There is something very modern about the psychological intensity of the portrait. It's like Eakins is trying to capture not just what Romano looked like, but who he was as a person.