Thomas Eakins art book by Darrel Sewell, Thomas Eakins, Kathleen A. Hardcover. Text in English. Published in September 2001 by Philadelphia Museum of Art. Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) is one of the most fascinating and important personalities in the history of American art. His memorable and much-loved scenes of rowing, sailing, and boxing as well as his deeply moving portraits are renowned for their vibrant realism and dramatic intensity. This beautiful and insightful book, published in conjunction with a major exhibition on the life and career of Eakins - the first in twenty years - presents a fresh perspective on the artist and his remarkable accomplishments.