Conservative in style, they were revolutionary in content. Departure from the staid portraitures and genteel landscapes of the late 19c. The intent of the artists was not social commentary. Departure from the staid portraitures and genteel landscapes of the late 19c. The intent of the artists was not social commentary.
1. Gritty, urban scenes: - find beauty in the drab and ugly aspects of life. Characteristics of the Ashcan School
“Eviction” - Everett Shinn, 1904
“Cross Streets of New York” Everett Shinn, 1899
“Cliff Dwellers” – George Bellows, 1908
“A Woman’s Work” – John Sloan, 1912
“Night Windows” – John Sloan, 1910
2. Portrayal of urban vitality. Characteristics of the Ashcan School
“Madison Square” Maurice Prendergast, 1901
“The Mall in Central Park” Maurice Prendergast, 1901
“Hammerstein’s Roof Garden” William Glackens, 1901
“Recruiting in Union Square” John Sloan, 1909
3. Captured the spontaneous moments in everyday life. Characteristics of the Ashcan School
“Skating in New York” William Glackens, 1910
“Sunday—Women Dying Their Hair” John Sloan, 1910
“Winter, Washington Square” William Glackens, 1907?
4. Illustrated the process of Americanization. Characteristics of the Ashcan School
“McSorley’s Bar” – John Sloan, 1912
“A Stag at Sharkey’s Place” George Bellows, 1917
5. These artists rebelled against the sentimental landscapes of 19c storybook illustrations. Characteristics of the Ashcan School
“Fire on 24 th Street” Everett Shinn, 1907
“Snow in New York” – Robert Henri, 1901
–Education: Lyceums Chautauqua Public schools paid for by taxpayers Co-ed universities Most religious universities became secularized (Notre Dame 1842, Holy Cross 1843, Harvard 1844) Morrill act and the Hatch Act 1887 (A&M and Tech schools) African American Universities Education changes; –Electives –Majors (rather than “Liberal Arts”) –PhD’s. Libraries (Carnegie)
–Popular culture becomes “nationalized” Newspapers –Hearst—Examiner –Pulitzer—the World (Yellow Journalism) Magazines of all types –Liberal –Conservative –Socialist –Ladies Home Journal –Etc. Most books were published as “serial cliffhangers”. –Dime Novels –Westerns –Moral tales and Success Gospel (Horatio Alger)
Mark Twain: Symbol of His Times
Novelists: –Mark Twain’s life is a microcosm of change in America: 1867: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras Co. = a lighthearted commentary on the mining camps 1876: Tom Sawyer = Mostly innocent fun and irony and satire 1884: Huck Finn = coming of age story of Jim and Huck. Condemnation of slavery and racism 1898? The War Prayer: An essay opposing the Spanish-American War
Poets –Walt Whitman: Leaves of Grass –Emily Dickinson (romantic) “Intellectuals” or at least they tried –Henry George : Progress and Poverty. A single 100% tax on “parasites” to economic growth –Edward Bellamy: Looking Backward. American Socialism?? Problems would be solved by technology. –Lewis Wallace; Ben Hur. Anti-Darwinism
Popular Entertainment –Wild West shows –Barnum and Bailey Circus –4th of July “takes off” –Minstrel Shows –Operas –Baseball1891 –Football 1889 –Boxing –Bicycle clubs: gives girls new freedom –Basketball 1891 –Reading –Amusement parks like Coney Island (paid for by trolley companies to increase ridership on weekends, but soon the “workingman’s resort”.
Started by streetcar companies to increase rider-ship on weekends
DOUBLE SEE-SAW FERRIS WHEEL