Artists prominent during the 1860's were Thomas Eakins and James Whistler. Realism was the trend of the 1860's when it came to art. Realism was a style of painting that reflects on natural things such as landscapes and portraits. These artists were known for their realistic artwork.

Thomas Eakins was born on July 25, 1844 in Philadelphia. Eakins was not only a painter, but was also a photographer, and sculptor. Although Eakins was one of the greatest artists of his time, his fellow Americans did not appreciate him. As a child, Eakins admired his father and spent some of his time admiring his work. As time passed he began to show skills of line drawing and perspective, which he then put to good use in his later paintings. He is well known for his portraits of family and family. He was greatly inspired by his surroundings and out door venues. Eakins was an amazing artist but was just as great as his second profession, teaching. He was a great influence in American art. He broadened his professions and was constantly interesting himself in new types of art, such as photography. One of his great works is The Gross Clinic, which was a portrait of   " a renowned Philadelphia surgeon, Dr. Samuel D. Gross". In this portrait we see this surgeon taking a diseased part off his patients thigh. Eakins was one of the best artists of his time, and was not given enough credit while he was alive. Thomas Eakins past June 25, 1916, but left his impression on artists to come.

James Whistler was born July 14, 1834 in Lowell, Massachusetts. Whistler is greatly recognized for his painting Arrangement in Gray and Black: Portrait of the Artist's Mother. This painting was a portrait of his mother, which is now displayed in the Musée d'Orsay. Whistler has left quite a mark on American art, and his art is constantly being show cased in museums. Whistler died on July 17, 1903, but his legacy of art remains.

Both whistler and Eakins left an impression on American art, and are to this day some of the greatest artist of their time. Although both are recognized today, Eakins was far from recognition during his time, which separates him from Whistler. Whistler throughout his lifetime gained recognition and won many awards. Both of these realistic artist have left an impression in art history, and opened a whole new world for artists to come.

INTERNET SOURCES:

Whistlers Mother

http://www.penwith.co.uk/artofeurope/whistler_mother.jpg

Thomas Eakins Portrait, Max Schmitt in a single scull

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Eakins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_McNeill_Whistler