George Bellows is one of the most important American painters of the first half of the 20th century, known for his vivid depictions of sports scenes and American urban life.

Biography of George Bellows

• Born August 12, 1882 in Columbus, Ohio
• Entered the New York School of Art in 1904
• He held his first solo exhibition in 1909 and received acclaim.
• Died of pneumonia in New York on January 8, 1925

Representative works

• "Stag at Sharkey's" 1909
• "Penny's Game" ("Kids"), 1909
• "Voices of Democracy" 1908

Bellows' bold depiction of powerful figures filling the canvas gives the work a sense of vitality and movement. He also accurately captures the life of working-class New Yorkers at the time, including scenes of boxing matches and the daily lives of slum children.

The freedom of composition and boldness of his touch are influenced by realism, impressionism, and expressionism. While he realistically depicts the lives of the American working class, he also contains strong social criticism. He is highly regarded as an artist who symbolizes the strength of the American people and the spirit of democracy.