The University of Pennsylvania usually sets a book for their new students to read over the summer before term begins. It’s a way of introducing their freshmen to academic life. This year, however, they’ve set a painting to be studied instead of a book.
They’ve chosen the local artist, Thomas Eakins and his 1875 painting “The Gross Clinic”. The university has another of Eakins’ paintings in its collection – the 1889 Agnew Clinic.
I think this is a very interesting development, and I’m not aware of any other universities which set a painting for everyone to study and discuss in this way.
Which painting would you choose for all the new students at your local university to study?
I’m pretty sure one of my first choices would “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulp” (which happens to be one of my all time most viewed posts!)
Any suggestions?
Heroes Not Zombies 
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