American Artists
93
BENJAMIN WEST
Benjamin West (1738-1820) of Pennsylvania was the first painter to immortalize the martyrdom of a secular hero in art (see the neoclassical painting below). A close friend of Benjamin Franklin, he became the first American painter to appear in Europe, where he caused a sensation. He stopped in London in 1763 and stayed there, becoming one of the founders of the Royal Academy. Benjamin West was self-taught, but later in life became an influential art teacher.
JOHN TRUMBULL
John Trumbull (1756-1843) of Connecticut was a one-eyed son of the governor who produced many well-known historical paintings.
Four of his paintings hang in the United States Capitol, including the one below, which was also used on the U.S. two-dollar bill.
THOMAS COLE
Thomas Cole (1801-1848) founded the Hudson River School, an art movement that featured romantic, natural portrayals of American landscapes.
Thomas Cole lived the majority of his adult life in Catskill, New York, where a nearby mountain is named after him. He was also a poet and architect.
GEORGE INNESS
George Inness (1825-1894) was from New York and New Jersey.
He was a landscape painter who helped define tonalism as the leader of what is known as the American Barbizon School.
George Inness was a deeply religious man, who used light and color to convey his spiritual vision through his art.
THOMAS EAKINS
Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) of Philadelphia may be the most important realist painter in American history. He was also an art teacher, sculptor, and photographer. Thomas Eakins created a new cosmopolitanism in American Art, as the country itself became more urban and sophisticated.
JOHN SINGER SARGENT
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was the leading portrait painter of his day, and left behind 3,000 pieces of original artwork.
John Singer Sargent traveled the world extensively as a child and as an adult.
One of his paintings recently sold for over twenty million dollars.
GEORGE BELLOWS
George Bellows (1882-1925) is the leading representative of what is called the Ash Can School of realism. His paintings have a disturbing rawness, and they focus on the teeming drama of life in the city. George Bellows lived the first half of his life in Ohio, and the second half in Manhattan. One of his paintings sold recently for thirty million dollars.
IVAN ALBRIGHT
Ivan Albright (1897-1983) of Chicago is a painter of magic realism. His dark, mysterious paintings are among the most meticulous ever made—some taking years to complete. Ivan Albright focused on life, death, and the spirit world. His art is nothing if not original.
DORIS LEE
Doris Lee (1905-1983) of Illinois was a folk artist and an art teacher. She studied in France, Italy and California.
Doris Lee was also an illustrator for books and magazines. She later lived in Woodstock, New York; and maintained a studio in Manhattan.
ARCHIBALD MOTLEY
Archibald Motley (1891-1981) of Chicago was the first African-American artist to have a one-man exhibit in New York City.
Heavily influenced by the jazz music scene, Archibald Motley painted African-Americans doing the same things white people enjoyed doing: including here, having a good time out on the town.
HARRY ANDERSON
Harry Anderson (1906-1996) of Chicago worked extensively creating art for prominent magazines before he became a renowned painter of Christian themes.
Harry Anderson worked for both the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Church of Latter Day Saints.
GRANDMA MOSES
Grandma Moses (1860-1961) of New York is a renowned American folk artist who became a painter in her seventies, after arthritis forced her to give up her career in embroidery. Grandma Moses painted what was called primitive art, but one of her paintings hangs in the White House and another sold for a million dollars.
ARNOLD FRIBERG
Arnold Friberg (b. 1913) grew up in Arizona and currently resides in Salt Lake City. He first achieved fame for the 300 paintings he created of the Canadian Mounties. Arnold Friberg drew maps for the U.S. Army while serving at the front during WWII; worked in Hollywood for Cecil B. DeMille; and created a series of paintings based on the Book of Mormon.
AUDREY FLACK
Audrey Flack (b. 1931) of New York is a photorealist painter and a sculptor.
The art of Audrey Flack is created from a feminist perspective.
The painting below is an extended allegory that represents passion, the brevity of life, and the transience of beauty.
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Thank you for giving such a comprehensive hub. They are great painers and paintings Half of them I haven't heard off and therefore found it even more interesting.
I like specially this one "STAG NIGHT AT SHARKEY'S" BY GEORGE BELLOWS (1909" there is something about it :)
Great hub thanks for sharing :)
Nice James, I like the painting and your writing is excellent, please come and visit my 100th hub. I need more followers. LOL!
James,
Thanks again for your writing and sharing your art with us. I like all of them except the Albright and I think it's weird.
Great! Do more!
James, Thanks for sharing all the facts about the painters and showing us all those wonderful paintings. I was less familiar with this group. Very interesting hub.
seasoning--- Thank you very much for being my first visitor! I appreciate your kind compliments. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community. You are off to a great start I see. :D
Hello, hello,--- You are surely welcome. I can always count on you to come by and lift my spirits. Thank you. :)
artrush73--- You are welcome. Thank you very much for your kind words. There is something about the action in that George Bellows painting. He is a highly original artist.
James...
Extraordinary piece of American Art History! I am pleasantly impressed. The work is very detailed and quite informative. Something new I´ve learned today. Ivan Albright particularly shook me for his obsession with dark themes, but I think I´d prefer Archibald Motley´s style of colors and frame distribution.
Great Hub, my friend!
Thumbs up!
Warmest regards and infinite blessings,
Al
Wow!, what an excellent hub! I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures and reading something about the artists. I must admit I don't know most of them but I still enjoyed the hub.
Thank you for sharing these James!
Hi James. This is another fantastic hub featuring works of art. In collection here, I like the "PAUL HELLEU SKETCHING WITH HIS WIFE" BY JOHN SINGER SARGENT best. One of my favorite American artists is Norman Rockwell, but so many people are familiar with his work. It's nice to see works by artists that were not as commercial or not as well known to most people. Thanks for sharing. Also, thank you very much for becoming a fan. I am honored!
Good hub and great material, James! I loved it and now am wondering have you heard about Jason Polan? The artist in NY who is trying to sketch every person in NYC...he has 10,000 down and THOUSANDS to go! Another great American artist!
sherrylou57--- Thank you for the visit and the compliments. I did read your 100th Hub and it is a great testimony.
Tom Whitworth--- You are welcome, brother. Thank you for coming by to visit. Yes, Albright is one strange cat. :D
sheila b.--- I have Grandma Moses in there just for you. This is probably the end of my trifecta on American Art, but I will be doing more Art soon--probably moving to photography and sculpture.
Pamela99--- You are quite welcome. I am glad you came to review my gallery. Thanks for your comments.
Mystique1957--- Thank you for the accolades, my friend. I am well pleased that you came by and expressed your approval. Motley and Albright certainly had originality--that's why they are here. I'm partial to artists with their own style. It's great to hear from you, Al.
James
jill of alltrades--- You are truly welcome! Thanks for the laudations. You are quite the artist yourself, and you have excellent taste.
Cassidella--- You are very welcome. I'm pleased to be your fan and I'll be reviewing some of your Hubs soon. I am a big Rockwell fan and I have featured his work in several of my Hubs. I was trying to get off the beaten trail here, as you have guessed. The Sargent painting is extraordinary, to be sure. Thank you so much for the lovely compliments. :-)
Ann Nonymous--- Thank you! Thank you very much. I have not heard of Jason Polan but I will Google him and take a look. I appreciate that tip.
This is just awesome. A hub like this is very rare and the collection of paintaings are mervelous. Keep writing. Enjoy.
The first couple of images are so formal. I like some of the others though in particular Sargent and Bellows
Always something great to see
and something new to learn.
Thanks James, my friend.
More artists! lovely! Enjoyed this.
Great images and content. Thanks James I also enjoyed this.
Ivan Albright? :-D
I've seen his work at the Art Institute; the only thing lost in the photos is the sheer enormity of the canvas. His work is a bit eery........... but it's also captivating! Every artist's ultimate goal outside of the pure enjoyment they receive from the art and its creation is to have their audience "stop and look." In Albright's case........... they stare, and sometimes giggle.
Yep, he got me to look, and I even appreciated what he conveys in his work. The bonus.......... the bonus was the giggle! ;-)
Nice choices........... I enjoyed
Kaie
I love this ecclectic grouping. In Colorado we tend to focus on Charles Russell and Georgia O'Keefe of regional fame. Thanks for introducing me to some new artists. I do love Thomas Cole... his brush strokes are so emotional.
Wonderful work as always , James. I especially like the painting by Doris Lee. "Thanksgiving". It looked so cheery, even a tiny child and the cats wanted to join in.
Love your work. Thank you again x
beautiful paintings and painters, I like best Benjamin West -- well known, I like the "Niagara Falls" too, Thank you SIR, Maita
Thank you James for a very informative art hub, I loved it. thank you mfor sharing. Godspeed. creativeone59
Learned something about style and the history of art! Thanks for sharing another area, much of us don't know about:)
"Jesus Enters Jerusalem" is timely and relevant. Love it. You're a great historian hubber, I respect. Thanks for sharing historical facts I'm unaware about.
Hi James
A really enjoyable hub. You have chosen an eclectic mix of very talented artists to show us. I'd love some more hubs in this area.
Amber:)
AARON99--- Thank you for this visit. I appreciate your laudatory remarks. I'll be coming to read your Hubs soon. :)
ethel smith--- The paintings by Bellows and Sargent are exceptional. Yes, the first two are formal. It shows how painting has changed over the years. Thank you for coming by.
Vladimir Uhri--- How nice to hear from you. Thank you for the warm words and you are welcome, my friend.
JannyC--- I am pleased that you came over and left your seal of approval. Thank you. :-)
psychicdog,net--- You are welcome. Thank you for this visitation and your kind compliments. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Kaie Arwen--- There you are! Where have you been, girl? I've missed you. I have seen Albright at the Art Institute as well. And his work stuck with me, almost like an old wound. It is not only eerie, it is macabre. :-)
I am well pleased that you came. Thank you for your excellent analysis. Your Hubs are outstanding and under-appreciated.
Storytellersrus--- The Thomas Cole painting of Niagara Falls is beautiful and evokes a time now lost of wilderness America. Thank you for letting em know that you enjoyed this gallery. And you are truly welcome, too.
Dim Flaxenwick--- You are welcome. I thank you for your laudatory compliments. "Thanksgiving" is a wonderful piece. Not many have heard Of Doris Lee but I think her work here is highly original--and I appreciate originality very much.
prettydarkhorse--- You are welcome, Maita. "Niagara Falls" may be my favorite here. This little pic hardly does it justice. But I couldn't find a larger photo of it to use. I'm glad you came. :D
creativeone59--- You are welcome, my dear. I am so glad you enjoyed this gallery. Thank you for visiting me. God Bless You!
heart4theword--- Well, you're welcome! Thank you for your kind comments and ongoing support. :-)
Lita C. Malicdem--- You are welcome. Thank you for your lovely compliments. I am glad you appreciated "Jesus enters Jerusalem." It kind of sticks out in this set but religious art goes on along with secular art and Anderson is one of the best in that genre.
Amber Allen--- I'm glad that you enjoyed this Hub, Amber. Eclectic? Yes indeed. I've always liked eclectic. I do believe I will publish more Art Hubs sometime in the future. Stay tuned. :D
James A Watkins:
Great as usual. I have many artist friends and I am passing this hub off to them.
thanx :)
caretakerray
As always my friend, you have produced another GREAT HUB!!! Blessings to you and your family!!!!!! GREAT Paintings!
caretakerray--- You are welcome, Ray. Thank you for passing my link around. I greatly appreciate that.
James
drpastorcarlotta--- Thank you, my dear!! I appreciate your enthusiastic response. It always lifts me up to hear from you. :D
Such wonderful artists. I love this hub. God Bless You
These are wonderful memorable history.
stars439--- I am glad you enjoyed this gallery, my friend. God Bless You.
H P Roychoudhury--- Thank you! Thank you very much.
Great works of Art by the American Masters!! John Singer Sargent and George Bellows, two of my favorites! I enjoyed the gallery tour, great way to spend my lunch break! God Bless!
peacenhim--- Thank you for the nice compliments. Yes, Sargent and Bellows were quite talented. I appreciate the visit.
Great artwork mentioned here! Love it James! Thanks....
What's the old saying James, "I might not know art but I know what I like." I think that's how it goes. I can't say I have ever been one to study or take alot of interest in the arts but I do know there is some I do enjoy. Classical art, including the things you presented here appeal to me. I look at some of the other things created in other various so-named styles that give me great pause. I have heard of some of these artist, and some of the others I have viewed their work not knowing who the artist was. Entertaining hub. Peace.
Michael Shane— Thank you very much! I'm glad you loved it. You are most welcome, sir.
A M Werner— Yes that is an old saying, originally used with derision I think by art critics to describe the masses with their low culture. But you know what? I like that description. I'm no expert but I know what I like immediately, and it doesn't change. I think beauty is the purpose of art. Some people like ugly, sacrilegious art. Not me. Thanks for coming and commenting.
I have to say I was caught and read every bit of it..great work James....umm Audrey Flack isn't really 70 in that picture right??? 2001..OMG there is no way!!! If so I need her surgeons number!
angel115707— Ms. Flack does look pretty good. I am glad that you came. Thank you for your compliments. You make me feel good.
another amazing hub from you James... very informative and great pictures.
andhra history— Thank you for your kind compliments. I appreciate your warm words. I'll be coming over to read your Hubs soon. Welcome to HubPages.
Hey James!
Moonlight in Virginia, very nice, and The Niagara Falls as well! Life is not always bright and cheery, as seen by these older ladies by Ivan Albright. Im thinking of putting prints of those in my guest rooms so, people will not want to stay too long! ha ha.
Thank you and hope you had a happy Easter!
lightning john— Hey John! You're welcome. I hope your Easter was a great day. Yes, those Albright paintings will scare off your guests, I'm sure. :D
I do love the two landscapes you mentioned. The Niagara Falls painting I have seen in person and it is far more beautiful up close. It's great to hear from you, my friend.
Good coverage of American artists. I'm an art-lover myself. John Singer Sargent is my favorite painter. Cheers, Marian
Marian Designs— Thank you! I appreciate the visit and your comments, Marian. I was in Washington last year for the first time. A beautiful state—except the dust storm I drove through in the east. :)
James
That's an interesting collection. I'm not well up on American artists, as the don't tend to feature much in the traditional galleries around Europe.
That George Bellows piece is very stark!
Paraglider— What a pleasure to hear from you! I am well pleased that you found this collection to be interesting. Thank you for taking the time to visit. I appreciate your comments.
James, what a marvelous and eclectic look at American artists and their art. Some I knew well and some I had never been exposed to before. I will have to get to know them better and expose my students to them as well.
Just published a Hub on my Polish emigre' grandmother and her paintings. If and when you have the time, I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks. Theresa
phdast7— You are welcome, Theresa. I will come over to see your Hub very soon about your Polish emigre grandmother and her paintings, and I will give you some feedback on it.
I am well pleased that you like this Hub. I enjoyed putting it together. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
James :-)
Fantastic .
Love it . vote up
feel free come to read my hub please .
beijing driver— Thank you! I appreciate your compliments and the voted up. I will come to read your Hub soon!
I really enjoyed reading this hub. Thank you for sharing with us.
paddyboy60— You are quite welcome. Thank you for reading my Hub and letting me know you enjoyed it.
I find it interesting that you are from Centreville. I have been there a number of times. I am from Coloma. :D
Nice to make your acquaintance. I look forward to reading some of your Hubs.
Paintings, sketches and such are really the only way we can see life in the pre-photographic eras of history; and as such are extremely interesting and enjoyed by me James. Eight of these you have here are new and it was great reading on several artists i wasn't aware of as well- thank you my friend, be back to check out some more of these painting hubs before too long.
Alastar Packer— You are most welcome, my friend. I am well pleased that enjoyed this gallery and these little bios. I appreciate the visit and your excellent remarks. Thank you Brother!
seasoning 2 years ago
looked at the pictures, and now going back to read more about the artists...... thanks for these pictures, they are beautiful, and all so different...... well chosen. You have worked hard on this hub, congratulations