The Agnew Clinic (1889) by Thomas Eakins

The Agnew Clinic - Thomas Eakins - 1889

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Artwork Information

TitleThe Agnew Clinic
ArtistThomas Eakins
Date1889
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions300 x 214 cm
Art MovementRealism
Current LocationPhiladelphia Museum of Art
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About The Agnew Clinic

Thomas Eakins’ The Agnew Clinic is a masterpiece of artwork, commissioned in 1889 to honor the retirement of anatomist and surgeon David Hayes Agnew. Measuring at an impressive 84 ⅜ inches by 118 ⅛ inches, it is Eakins’ largest work. The painting depicts Dr. Agnew overseeing a mastectomy procedure performed by three doctors, along with medical students observing the surgery taking place.

Eakins worked on this piece for three months straight and completed it in time for its unveiling at commencement in May 1889. This oil painting has received critical acclaim for depicting a momentous medical advancement in healthcare history by showcasing surgical techniques successfully carried out during Dr. Agnew’s era.

The painting’s composition vividly captures the intense focus on display during surgical procedures while featuring several noteworthy aspects such as lighting techniques and depth perception. Thomas Eakins has beautifully portrayed the physicians’ attire and their steady hands, underscoring the precision required for such surgeries. Interestingly, there is only one female spectator present amongst many male students indicating gender disparity within medical education at that time.

In summary, Thomas Eakin’s The Agnew Clinic portrays a crucial period when significant progress was made in surgical techniques, especially those specific to mastectomies – an impactful representation of scientific innovation and dedicated medical professionals who have helped shape modern-day healthcare into what it is today.

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