The artwork entitled “Mrs. Richard Day” is a portrait painted by the renowned artist Thomas Eakins, who is associated with the Realism movement. The genre of this piece is portraiture, depicting a female subject with meticulous attention to detail that embodies the principles of Realism.
In the artwork, the subject, Mrs. Richard Day, is portrayed with a refined and contemplative expression, accentuated by the masterful use of light and shadow, which is characteristic of Eakins’s technique. Her hair is rendered in delicate shades of gray, meticulously styled and complementing her composed demeanor. She is adorned in a dark, elegant dress with an ornate collar, revealing Eakins’s skill in capturing the intricate textures and fabrics of the period’s fashion. The somber background further enhances the subject’s presence, bringing focus to her serene yet introspective gaze. The overall composition exudes a sense of dignity and realism, typical of Thomas Eakins’s portraits, emphasizing the depth and character of the sitter.