ASHCAN SCHOOL Meaning and
Definition
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The Ashcan School refers to a group of realist American artists who emerged around the turn of the 20th century and gained prominence in the early 1900s. This art movement, also known as the Ashcan School of Art, embraced urban realism, depicting scenes of everyday life in gritty, urban settings. The term "ashcan" was used derogatorily to describe the dingy and unattractive aspects of city life, which the artists sought to capture in their works.
The Ashcan School artists, including Robert Henri, George Bellows, John Sloan, and Everett Shinn, among others, rejected the prevailing academic and romanticized conventions of art at the time. Instead, they focused on portraying the raw and unidealized reality of urban existence. Their subject matter often depicted crowded streets, tenement houses, slums, and ordinary urban experiences, such as street vendors, working-class individuals, and immigrants.
The Ashcan School artists employed a loose and impressionistic style, emphasizing bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors to convey the energy and vitality of city life. Their works aimed to highlight the social and political concerns of the era, shedding light on the struggles and disparities faced by marginalized communities.
Although the Ashcan School initially faced criticism and rejection by traditional art establishments, their paintings played a crucial role in shaping the course of American art. By exploring new subjects and techniques, these artists pioneered a movement that celebrated the beauty and authenticity found within everyday urban landscapes.
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Etymology of ASHCAN SCHOOL
The term "ashcan school" refers to a group of American artists active in the early 20th century who focused on representing scenes of urban life in a realistic and gritty style. The term itself was coined by critic and writer Art Young in 1916. It is believed to have originated from an incident that occurred in 1898 when an art student named Robert Henri, one of the leading figures of the movement, went to dispose of some of his paintings that he deemed unsuccessful. Unable to afford canvas at the time, he painted on wooden cigar boxes, which he stored under his bed. When he decided to discard them, he placed the boxes outside to be collected by the ashcan (garbage) men. Henri's friend and fellow artist John Sloan witnessed this act and sarcastically commented that Henri was creating an "ashcan school" of painting.
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