Thomas Eakins Biography:
Born in Philadelphia, he passed the major part of his life there with the exception of a period of training in Europe, 1866-70. He studied in Paris with Gerome, but learnt most from the Spanish painters Velazquez and Ribera, absorbing a precise and uncompromising sense for actuality which he applied to portraiture and genre art, prints and posters of the life of his native city (boating and bathing were favorite themes).
 >>click here for more