Brief Biography-Thomas Pollock Anshutz was from Kentucky, America. At twenty, he moved to Brooklyn, New York and eventually studied at the National Academy of Design. When Anshutz moved to Philadelphia, Thomas Eakins gave him lessons. In 1878, He worked with Eakins as his assistant, teaching anatomy classes. He became strongly influenced by Eakins and adopted some of his techniques. He was also impressed by Winslow Homer.
He began teaching at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1881 and dedicated most of his time to teaching. However, by 1886 Anshutz disagreed with some of Eakins’s teaching techniques and assisted in his cessation as the school’s director.
After getting married and having a son in 1893, he went to Paris, and studied briefly under William Adolphe Fougera. After that, Anshutz travelled Europe and threw himself back into painting inspired by French impressionists. Eventually, he returned to Philadelphia and spent time painting en plein air scenes in New Jersey.
In Darby, Pennsylvania, he formed a summer school with Hugh Breckenridge. By 1909 he became widely known for portraiture. The Philadelphia Academy awarded him a gold medal that year, and the following year he was made the director of the Academy. He was also President of the Philadelphia Sketch Club. In 1910, he suffered from heart disease, and after a short visit to Europe, he returned to Philadelphia and died in 1912.