Final answer:
The lines in Eakins' artwork are best described as harmonious, as his approach to scientific realism emphasizes accurate and balanced composition. Eakins' work reflects a desire for visual unity and compositional cohesiveness, with lines that complement rather than conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lines in the work of Eakins are often described as harmonious, as he had a deep commitment to portraying honest details of form, depth, and proportion. Eakins' academic training in scientific realism led him to seek harmony in composition, even when projecting photographs on canvases for tracing, thereby ensuring accurate representations while also arranging objects to achieve a balanced scene. This approach to line reflects a synchronization of elements to create unity in his compositions.
When considering the qualities of lines according to artistic principles, static lines are generally associated with rest or lack of motion, while dynamic lines suggest movement and energy. Observations of Eakins' work suggest that he employs lines that complement each other in a harmonious way rather than lines that create tension, chaos, or appear static.
Therefore, it is accurate to characterize the lines in Eakins' artwork as harmonious, representing the orchestration of various elements to create a cohesive visual narrative, much like a conductor weaving together the sounds of an orchestra into a symphony.