READ THIS: John Sloan's New York by Heather Campbell Coyle and Joyce K. Schiller
John Sloan (1871–1951) began his career as a commercial newspaper artist in Philadelphia where he studied with Robert Henri. Following Henri to New York, Sloan joined a small circle of eight talented artists whose dissatisfaction with the dominating National Academy led to a protest exhibit in 1908, the emergence of a powerful movement for change in American art, and ultimately to the famous Armory Show of 1913. Sloan was extremely politically engaged and his socialist views influenced his choice of subject matter. It was in part Sloan’s dark palette and views of city streets and working-class life that gave rise to the epithet now used to describe the works of the “Ashcan School” (though only one painting by Sloan, Carmine Theater, ever showed an ash can) .
Sloan’s compelling images of New York City are the subject of this generously illustrated book. His paintings, drawings, and prints clearly reflect his own experience of the city as he walked its neighborhoods and observed human dramas played out in streets and apartments. The contributors to the volume investigate a variety of topics, including Sloan’s understanding of the urban experience in America, his interest in social reform, his fascination with moving pictures and cinema aesthetics, and his relationship with Henri. The authors also situate Sloan’s paintings within the geography and social fabric of New York.
John Sloan’s New York presents a unique perspective on New York and its people and also on the artist himself, who was captivated by the soul of the city. Whom You Know learned of this book at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the current American Stories exhibition. We believe the history of Manhattan is well-viewed through Sloan's perspective, as he depicted the experience of the common New Yorker. It is enjoyable to view spots you know know as he once saw them!
Street level scenes portrayed through Sloan's work show depth, grittiness and a quality that is uniquely New York. Both the paint and the ink works are fabulously capturing and full of life. We think some of the work is reminiscent of Toulouse-Lautrec....Whom You Know recommends this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS/CONTRIBUTORS:
Joyce K. Schiller is curator and Heather Campbell Coyle is associate curator, both at the Delaware Art Museum. Molly S. Hutton is director, Schmucker Art Gallery, Gettysburg College. Susan Fillin-Yeh is retired museum director and curator, Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery, Reed College. Katherine E. Manthorne is professor of art history, Graduate Center, City University of New York.Alexis L. Boylan is assistant professor of art history, University of Tennessee.
TITLE: John Sloan’s New York
AUTHORS: Heather Campbell Coyle and Joyce K. Schiller
ISBN: 978-0-300-12619-8
PRICE: $50.00
PAGES: 208 pp.
ILLUSTRATIONS: 21 b/w + 126 color
PUBLICATION DATE: November 29, 2007
