Study of the Head of Dr. Gross

Artist Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916)

Date1875

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions61.1 x 46.2 cm (24 1/16 x 18 3/16 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Terms

Object number1929.124

Label TextIn 1875, Eakins searched for a theme that would represent him well at the nation's 1876 Centennial exhibition in his native Philadelphia. The subject he chose was an ambitious one—an operation and medical demonstration performed by the world-famous surgeon Dr. Samuel Gross at Philadelphia’s Jefferson Medical College. The finished painting, The Gross Clinic, references Eakins’ own experiences observing surgical procedures to understand the intricacies of human anatomy. For Worcester's preparatory sketch, Eakins used a palette knife and a dramatic splash of light on the forehead to capture the site of Dr. Gross’ genius.ProvenanceMrs. Thomas Eakins, ?1917?; C.W. Cranmer, Philadelphia, ?-1929; WAM, 1929

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