Stag at Sharkeys by George BellowsBelated birthdays The candles have long been blown out on these artists birthdays, but as a way of catching up with my posts they provide a good excuse to write! August 11th saw the birthday of American realist artist George Bellows (b 1882 – 1925) (though there seems to be some discrepancy on his August birthdate according to Wikipedia)
George Wesley Bellows attended Ohio State University from 1901 – 1904 . He played baseball and painted illustrations for magazines whilst studying there. In 1904 he became a student of Robert Henri at the New York School of Art, became one of Henri’s ‘Eight’ and thus becoming associated with a group of artists who at that time were painting American society in a modern down to earth, kitchen sink manner. This group came to be known as the Ashcan School.
Pennsylvania Station George BellowsWhen Henri organised an exhibition featuring mostly urban studies in 1908, Bellows became more interested in pursuing a career as a painter. He was to prove successful and became very famous and nationally recognised. His work typically depicts rough working class people and chaos and have lots of atmosphere. The artist is mostly known for his boxing scenes which are laden with movement and rough brushstrokes.
The artist received many commissions from the social elite of New York. Socially conscious Bellows also became associated with the ‘Lyrical Left’ group of artists. He taught and contributed drawings and prints to the socialist journal ‘The Masses’. A lot has been written about this interesting artist’s life. There’s also a wonderful article about him and his work by Jonathan Jones, The Guardian here
Earlier in the month it was the British illustrator and writer
Salome by BeardsleyAubrey Beardsley‘s birthday (21 August 1872 – 16 March 1898). Heres a link to a previous post I did about Beardsley here and some lovely art prints from Beardsley.artpassions
stolen pen and ink drawing by RembrandtA couple of weeks ago the British newspapers were full of reports about the riots and looting which have gone on in the UK. In Los Angeles yet another art masterpiece has been looted from a private art exhibit at the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey whilst the curator was distracted by a well planned diversion. The work is believed to be The Judgement by 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt Van Rijn is estimated to be worth $250,000. The good news about the painting is that it has been recovered a few days later in a church in San Fernando Valley after an anonymous tip-off. Read about it here
But, back to today and today’s birthday is American Dadaist and Surrealist artist Emmanuel Radnitzsky, 
better known as Manray (b. 1890 – 1970) The wonderful ManRay trust website can be found here http://www.manraytrust.com/
An earlier post of mine which celebrates the artist’s birthday can be found here. Manray is esteemed in the art world for his avant-garde photography – especially renown for his fashion and portrait work, though he regarded himself as a painter above all. Manray is still a very well regarded and influential artist even now.
George Bellows information here
George Bellows Lithographs and drawings can be found here
Stag at Sharkeys image from here
Men of the Docks image from here
Pennsylvania Sstation image from here
Salome image from here
More Stolen Rembrandt details here
The Judgement drawing from here
Manray Violin from here
All with thanks!
