Thomas Eakins and the uses of history

"Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) was one of America's foremost painters and a highly respected sculptor, photographer, and fine arts teacher. He is often celebrated for his realist depictions of contemporary life in late nineteenth-century Philadelphia. Yet, in addition to his iconic paintings of rowers, doctors, and wrestlers, he completed a number of works that reflected his deep and abiding interest in the historical past. [book title] is the first book to examine the artist's lifelong fascination with historical themes. [author] delves deeply into unpublished letters, diaries of friends and contemporaries, and period newspapers to offer new insights into this aspect of the artist's career."--Book jacket.