Reality and Impressionism: Thomas Eakins and William Merritt Chase

Thomas Eakins and William Merritt Chase brought a new aesthetic to mid-nineteenth century and early twentieth century American art. Eakins studied art in Paris and Spain before returning to his birthplace in Philadelphia where he both delighted and shocked the public with his paintings. Chase, a midwesterner, made New York city his home. Each artist incorporated all the beauty and brush strokes of impressionism into their paintings of people and uniquely American landscapes.