As St. Charles Borromeo Seminary was only about two miles from Eakins's home, the two chose it as a destination for their Sunday bicycle excursions, often staying for late afternoon vespers service and dinner.

A lifelong agnostic who was outspokenly critical of Christianity in general[3] – and Catholicism in particular – Eakins debated Christ's divinity with Monsignor James P. Turner, who later sat for him,[4] and would "smile superciliously whenever someone spoke of future life.

[6] These gifts were not always well received by their recipients, either: Dr. Patrick J. Garvey hid his under his bed,[7] and the portraits of Mother Mary Patricia Waldron[8] and Bishop Edmond Prendergast[9] were lost, presumed destroyed.

[10] Schendler wrote that priestly vestments offered "possibilities of form and color not available to [Eakins] in the dark suits of Philadelphia businessmen.

"[11] Adams speculated that Eakins decided to paint clerical portraits because he was intrigued by "the sexually ambiguous quality of priestly clothes", and "the way that the clergy appeared to cross normal gender boundaries",[5] though later biographers such as Kirkpatrick have dismissed this interpretation.

During the Civil War he rose to prominence by refusing to follow an order given by occupying Union forces to include prayers for the President in local Catholic services – a stand for which he was briefly jailed.

[12] The wood–paneled room behind him is left indistinct, and his vestments are depicted in little detail, putting the emphasis on Elder's gnarled hands and weathered features.

[19] "Archbishop Elder's seeming awareness of his own mortality is one of the painting's strongest notes," Schendler writes, "The meditative quality of the portrait is associated with the impression of physical frailty.

[25] Further accusations of sexual impropriety – such as a private demonstration of "pelvic motions" to Amelia Van Buren[26] – soon surfaced against Eakins, and chairman of instruction Edward Coates asked for and received his resignation.

[21][16] Returning home, he laid the $73 he had received from the mint on the table in front of his wife Susan Eakins, proclaiming "Sue, here's my Temple Gold Medal.

[12] It received a more mixed reception there, as Bishop Moeller reported in a letter to Eakins: "...some who have seen the picture do not like the Archbishop's expression, but that was not your fault.