Art and Artifice

George Bellows 1882-1925

Detail image with female figure in George Bellows painting KIDS from 1906

George Bellows (1882-1925) was an American painter and lithographer known for his depictions of city life in and around New York City. He was associated with the Ashcan School, artists who sought to realistically portray urban reality, particularly including the lower working classes of people. The word "Ashcan" originally was used as a derisive nickname for their styles, but the artists themselves later began utilizing it themselves. Bellows died at the age of 42.

Fifteen of George Bellows best known paintings:

1. Stag at Sharkey's (1909)
2. Both Members of This Club (1909)
3. Cliff Dwellers (1913)
4. New York (1911)
5. Pennsylvania Station Excavation (1909)
6. Blue Snow, the Battery (1910)
7. Dempsey and Firpo (1924)
8. Forty-two Kids (1907)
9. Excavation at Night (1908)
10. Settling Ashore (1911)
11. A Stag at Sharkey's II (1917)
12. Snow-Capped River (1911)
13. Riverfront No. 1 (1915)
14. Men of the Docks (1912)
15. The Circus (1912)

These paintings showcase Bellows' interest in depicting urban life, as well as his skill as a portrait painter and his love of the outdoors.

Original Page Feb 23, 2023 | Updated June 18, 2025