Ashcan School: Realism Born from the Trash Can, the Light and Shadow of Modern America

In the early 20th century, there were painters who depicted the hustle and bustle of urbanizing New York and the people who lived there as they were. They were called the "Ashcan School" and they frankly depicted the realities of American society at that time, such as people living on the fringes of society, who were thrown away in the trash (ashcan), poverty, labor, and immigration. Painters such as Robert Henri, George Bellows, and John Sloan, while influenced by photography, highlighted the light and shadow of modern America with powerful brushstrokes and realism. In this article, we will explain the characteristics and historical background of the Ashcan School, representative artists and works, and the influence of the Ashcan School in modern times. artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce the masterpieces of the Ashcan School masters in high-definition giclee prints. Why not feel the breath of modern America painted by the Ashcan School in your room?

What is the Ashcan sect? - Reality depicted in a trash can

The Ashcan School was a realist painting movement that emerged in the United States in the early 20th century. It was formed by painters who were active mainly in New York from the early 1900s to the 1910s. They depicted the urban poor, immigrants, and workers, and their daily lives as they really were. The name Ashcan comes from the fact that the subjects they painted were considered to be "things that would be thrown in the ashcan" at the time.

The distinctive features of the Ashcan sect are as follows:

• Urban Realism: Ashcan painters depicted New York's cityscape and its people as they truly were. They also looked at the darker side of society, such as slums, slums, factories, and saloons, and used the contrast between light and shadow to depict the modern city. Bellows' "Cliff Dwellers" is a powerful portrayal of people living in a New York apartment block. Sloan's "McSorley's Tavern" is a vivid depiction of a saloon on New York's Lower East Side.
• Social Interest: Ashcan painters were interested in social issues and through their work, they denounced various social issues such as poverty, labor issues, immigration issues, and racism. They were also influenced by the spirit of journalism and tried to objectively record social reality. Henri's "Portrait of Jessie Hart" is a work that depicts an African-American woman with dignity and can be interpreted as a criticism of the racial prejudice of the time.
• Vibrant brushstrokes: The Ashcan School painters were influenced by the Impressionists, but they used more powerful brushstrokes to dynamically depict their subjects. Their work was also influenced by photography, and is characterized by snapshot-like compositions and dynamic depictions. Bellows' "Stag at Shaky" depicts a boxing match with dynamic brushstrokes.

History of the Ashcan School - A New Wave in American Art

The Ashcan School created a new wave in the American art world in the late 19th century, which was heavily influenced by European academicism. Some of the artists had studied at traditional European art academies, but they believed that a new way of expression was needed to depict the reality of America. They formed a group called "The Eight" in New York and held an exhibition at the Macbeth Gallery in 1908. This exhibition caused a great controversy, and the Ashcan School painters came to be called the "revolutionary black gang." However, their spirit of realism and powerful expressions inspired many young artists and had a major impact on the American art world.

Representative artists and works of the Ashcan School

The Ashcan school includes many outstanding artists, among whom are Robert Henri, George Bellows, and John Sloane.

• Robert Henri: A leader of the Ashcan School. He painted urban landscapes and people with powerful realism, and showed a new direction in the American art world. His representative works include "Snowy 5th Avenue" and "Portrait of Jesse Hart."
• George Bellows: Expressed the energy and dynamism of the city with powerful brushstrokes and light and dark contrasts. Representative works include "Cliff Dwellers" and "Stag at Shaky."
• John Sloane: He portrayed the life of the Lower East Side of New York and the daily lives of the people with a touch of humor. His representative works include "McSorley's Tavern" and "Hay Market."

Modern-day Ashcan influence

The Ashcan School had a major influence on 20th century American realism painting. Their interest in social issues has also been passed down to movements such as social realism. The light and shadow of modern America depicted by the Ashcan School painters still has much to say to us today.

Ashcan School Masterpieces on artgraph.jp

artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce the masterpieces of the Ashcan School masters, such as Henri, Bellows, and Sloane, in high-definition giclee prints. Why not decorate your room with the breath of modern America painted by the Ashcan School and reminisce about history and art?

Find Ashcan posters on artgraph.jp