The Ashcan School

In the early 20th century, a motley group of illustrators and painters began producing realistic paintings mostly depicting the common city people going about their daily affairs. Their styles were similar but varied as were their social and political views. Nonetheless, these artists wanted to tell the truth of city life as they saw it--that is, they believed art should be like journalism. The eldest of them, Robert Henri (1865–1929) was probably the best known. Influenced by the poetry of Whitman, whose rough works celebrated the common man, Mr. Henri believe that art of his time should explore the lives of cities and working class people. The painters shared a fascination with subject matter, not technique or materials or even style. They produced works that were darker in palette and darker in social terms. The hard truths of modern city life appear in many of their works--prostitutes, street kids, the subways, boxers, and more.

John Sloan, "McSorley's Bar," 1912

William Glackens, "At Mouquin's" 1908

 Many works by Ashcan School painters were less finished, sketchier and more gestural, with juicy, vigorous brushwork. Although they painted the common people, Ashcan painters also did well by the upper classes. William Glackens' most famous work "At Mouquin's," gives us a peek into an upscale New York eatery of the time. The wife of the proprietor is the lady but the man is a wealthy playboy.

George Bellows, "Stag at Sharkey's," 1909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the more brutal examples of Ashcan works is "Stag at Sharkey's," by George Bellows (1882-1925). Two club boxers, clashing in a private club, glisten with sweat in center ring, slashing punches and elbows at one another as grotesque spectators crowd ringside. Bellows' brushwork features quick, thick strokes and hides the fighters' faces, emphasizing the anonymous brutality.

Works by the painters linked below are justly famous or well-known, but movements in the "art world" were diverging from representational art and realism in favor of cubism, abstraction, fauvism, and a host of movements. Nonetheless, these painters and their works repay study.

 

---

Robert Henri

John Sloan

William Glackens 

George Bellows

George Luks

Everett Shinn