The artwork, titled “Portrait of Professor William D. Marks,” was created by Thomas Eakins around 1886. This oil on canvas painting, measuring 137.2 cm by 193 cm, belongs to the Realism art movement and is currently held within a private collection. The genre of the artwork is portraiture.
The artwork features a solemn depiction of a man, presumed to be Professor William D. Marks, seated at a table. The professor is captured in a contemplative pose, with one arm resting on the table and the other holding an object. The background and surrounding space are expressed with broad, textured strokes, creating a stark contrast with the more detailed rendering of the figure. The dark tones of the professor’s attire and the shadowy environment evoke a somber and introspective mood, characteristic of Eakins’ mastery in capturing the essence of his subjects through realistic and meticulous techniques.
