[Nude Men in the Garden] 1870s

This striking photograph, taken in the 1870s, showcases Thomas Eakins’ innovative approach to art. “[Nude Men in the Garden]” depicts two nude men, one with his hand on his hip and the other with his arms crossed, standing against a blurred backdrop of trees and foliage. The composition is simple, highlighting the subjects’ bodies in a naturalistic and unidealized way. Eakins, known for his realism and attention to detail, challenged the conventions of traditional art with this candid and somewhat controversial portrayal of the human form.