Early Life and Education
George Wesley Bellows, an American realist painter, was born on August 12 or August 19, 1882, in Columbus, Ohio. He was the only child of George Bellows and Anna Wilhelmina Smith Bellows. Bellows' early life was marked by his passion for drawing, which led him to decorate his classroom blackboards at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Artistic Career
Bellows began his artistic journey as a student of
Robert Henri, who taught at the New York School of Art. He soon became associated with "The Eight" and the Ashcan School, a group advocating for painting contemporary American society in all its forms. By 1906, Bellows had set up a studio at 1947 Broadway with fellow art student
Edward Keefe.
New York City: A Subject of Inspiration
Bellows first gained widespread notice in 1908 with an exhibition of mostly urban studies. His New York City scenes, characterized by their crudity and chaos, satirized the upper classes. From 1907 to 1915, he executed a series of paintings depicting New York City under snowfall, showcasing his strong sense of light and visual texture.
- George Wesley Bellows's urban New York scenes depicted working-class people and neighborhoods.
- His series of paintings portraying amateur boxing matches are considered his signature contribution to art history.
- These works are characterized by dark atmospheres, with bright, roughly laid brushstrokes vividly striking with a strong sense of motion and direction.
Social and Political Themes
As Bellows' prestige grew, he began to receive portrait commissions and social invitations from New York's wealthy elite. He also summered in Maine, painting seascapes on Monhegan and
Matinicus islands. Additionally, Bellows associated with a group of radical artists and activists known as "the Lyrical Left," who tended towards anarchism in their extreme advocacy of individual rights.
Notable Works and Collections
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Painting by 'George Wesley Bellows' : Portrait of My Father (Columbus Museum of Art, United States, Oil On Canvas)
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Painting by 'George Wesley Bellows' : Mrs. Albert M. Miller (also known as White Dress) (Columbus Museum of Art, United States, Oil On Canvas)
Explore more works by George Wesley Bellows on WahooArt:
[https://WahooArt.com/@/George-Wesley-Bellows](https://wahoosart.com/@/george-wesley-bellows) | 284 Artworks
Discover the Masterpieces of Château de Fontainebleau, France
[https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/Art_EN?Open&Query=discover+the+masterpieces+of+ch%C3%A0teau+de+fontainebleau](https://wahoosart.com/art_nsf/art_en?open&query=discover%20the%20masterpieces%20of%20ch%C3%A0teau%20de%20fontainebleau)
Learn more about George Bellows on Wikipedia:
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bellows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/george_bellows)