John Sloan's New York: Ashcan Realism and Urban Life
Born in 1871 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, John Sloan relocated to Philadelphia during his childhood, where he became a self-taught etcher. He began his career as a commercial artist for the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1892 and the Philadelphia Press in 1895, co-founding the Charcoal Club. Influenced by Robert Henri, Sloan started painting scenes of Philadelphia in the 1890s. In 1904, he and his wife Dolly settled in Greenwich Village, New York City, where they became part of 'The Eight' exhibition and the Ashcan School. He played a role in The Masses, organized the 1910 Exhibition of Independent Artists, and took part in the 1913 Armory Show. Notable works include 'Election Night' (1907) and 'McSorley’s Bar' (1912). Sloan, who had a deep appreciation for Native American art, passed away from cancer in 1951.
Key facts
- John Sloan was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania in 1871.
- He moved to Philadelphia as a child and taught himself etching.
- He worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer (1892) and Philadelphia Press (1895).
- He co-founded the Charcoal Club to escape the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
- He moved to Greenwich Village in 1904 and joined 'The Eight' exhibition at Macbeth Gallery.
- He contributed to The Masses and organized the Exhibition of Independent Artists in 1910.
- He participated in the 1913 Armory Show and taught at the Arts Student League.
- He died of cancer in 1951.
Entities
Artists
- John Sloan
- Robert Henri
- George Luks
- Arthur B. Davies
- William Glackens
- Ernest Lawson
- Maurice Prendergast
- Everett Shinn
- Glenn Coleman
- George Bellows
- Art Young
- Dolly Sloan
- William J. McSorley
- John McSorley
- Robert W. Snyder
- Rebecca Zurier
- Susan Fillin-Yeh
Institutions
- Philadelphia Inquirer
- Philadelphia Press
- Charcoal Club
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- Macbeth Gallery
- The Masses
- Exhibition of Independent Artists
- Whitney Museum
- Armory Show
- Arts Student League
- Society of Independent Artists
- Delaware Art Museum
- Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester
- Addison Gallery of American Art
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
- Pennsylvania State University Press
- Dover Publications
- Merrell Publishers Limited
Locations
- Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia
- Spring Garden Institute
- Greenwich Village
- New York City
- Herald Square
- Sixth and Broadway
- 15 East 7th Street
- McSorley's Old Ale House
- Jefferson Market Courthouse
- New Mexico