16+ Thomas Eakins Quotes On Education, Art

Thomas Eakins was an American realist painter, photographer, sculptor, and fine arts educator. He was one of the most important artists of the 19th century, and his impact on American art was profound. He is best known for his naturalistic depictions of everyday life, and his paintings often featured the people of Philadelphia, where he lived and worked for most of his life. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Thomas Eakins on education, art, life.

Strain your brain more than your eye. — Thomas Eakins

Strain your brain more than your eye... You can copy a thing to a certain limit. Then you must use intellect. — Thomas Eakins

When you first commence painting everything is a muddle. Even the commonest colors seem to have the devil in them. — Thomas Eakins

How beautiful an old woman's skin is! All those wrinkles! — Thomas Eakins

In mathematics the complicated things are reduced to simple things. So it is in painting. — Thomas Eakins

The brush is a more powerful and rapid tool than the point or the stump... the main thing that the brush secures is the instant grasp of the grand construction of a figure. — Thomas Eakins

Enthusiasm for one's goal lessens the disagreeableness of working toward it. — Thomas Eakins

I taught in the Academy from the opening of the schools until I was turned out, a period much longer than I should have permitted myself to remain there. My honors are misunderstanding, persecution and neglect, enhanced because unsought. — Thomas Eakins

No man, and least of all myself, could ever disentangle the feelings that animated him. — Thomas Eakins

My honors are misunderstanding, pesecution and neglect, enhanced because unsought. — Thomas Eakins

The big artist keeps an eye on nature and steals her tools. — Thomas Eakins

I once painted a concert singer and on the chestnut frame I carved the opening bars of Mendelssohn's Rest in the Lord. It was ornamental unobtrusive and to musicians I think it emphasized the expression of the face and pose of the figure. — Thomas Eakins

Of course, it is well to go abroad and see the works of the old masters, but Americans... must strike out for themselves, and only by doing this will we create a great and distinctly American art. — Thomas Eakins

I have never discovered that the nude could be studied in any way except the way I have adopted. All the muscles must be pointed out. To do this all the drapery must be removed. — Thomas Eakins

A teacher can do very little for a pupil and should only be thankful if he don't hinder him, and the greater the master, mostly the less he can say. — Thomas Eakins

When a man paints a naked woman he gives her less than poor Nature did. I can conceive of few circumstances wherein I would have to paint a woman naked, but if I did I would not mutilate her for double the money. She is the most beautiful thing there is except a naked man, but I never saw a study of one exhibited. — Thomas Eakins

Life Lessons by Thomas Eakins

1. Thomas Eakins was a realist painter who focused on the human figure, often depicting everyday life and activities. His work emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship, hard work, and dedication to one's practice. Through his work, we can learn that dedication to one's craft and attention to detail can lead to great works of art.