Roads to Eakins

The Agnew Clinic by Thomas Eakins is a painting that undoubtedly contains hidden dimensions and meanings not apparent to the conscious mind of most viewers, yet which give the work some of its strange mystery and power. A new book about Eakins reveals that he was a sadist, that he had relationship problems, that he was interested in nudity, that he liked to shock women who were his models by stripping in front of them, and that he had other mental quirks, all of which are somehow hidden in this painting.