Intro To Fine Arts 10/23/25

Overview of Early 20th Century Art Movements

American Artists in Urban Context

  • Artist Backgrounds

    • Focus on artists in the early twentieth century;

    • Noted for depicting everyday urban life.

    • The subject matter often highlighted the nuance of city living, contrasting modern development with the remnants of old urban landscapes.

George Wesley Bellows

  • Biography

    • Origin: Born in Columbus, Ohio; moved to New York City.

    • Joined the Group of Eight, artists focused on realistic depictions of urban life.

    • Mentorship from Robert Henri and immersion in the New York art scene.

  • Philosophy

    • Emphasized all-encompassing beauty: "There is beauty in everything that looks beautiful in your eyes. You can find it anywhere and everywhere."

  • Notable Works

    • Lung Cannon (1909)

    • Visual Analysis:

      • Depicts a bridge viewed from beneath; centers on a tenement building.

      • Cold atmosphere, suggests a winter day with strong sunlight but evokes loneliness.

      • Impression of urban displacement; reflects on progress and the loss of historic buildings to modernization (e.g., Queensboro Bridge).

    • Another significant piece from 1911:

    • Features a lively scene with many figures in bright colors, suggesting vibrancy yet retaining a sense of cold and anonymity.

    • Depicts the elevated train, juxtaposing old and new urban elements.

    • Notable for aesthetic choices that reflect Bellows’ background in illustration and the dynamic nature of New York City life.

Italian Futurism

  • Origins

    • Founded by F.T. Marinetti in 1909; began as a literary movement and expanded to visual arts.

  • Purpose and Themes

    • Celebration of technology, progress, and urban environments.

    • Interest in movement and depicting dynamic energy of modern life.

  • Key Artwork: The City Rises (1910)

    • Size: 10 feet wide.

    • Portrays an electric power plant construction with a focus on labor and movement.

    • Futurists' disdain for traditional art, favoring the modern industrial landscape.

  • Cultural Context

    • Rejection of historical cities like Venice for industrial hubs like Milan.

    • The manifesto emphasized a rapid shift in societal values and aesthetics due to technological advancements.

Futurism and War

  • Interventionism Principle

    • A nationalistic call to enter World War I to reclaim territories.

    • Initial support for war transitioning to a complex relationship with fascism post-war.

  • Post-War Artistic Shifts

    • Movement towards classical styles with mechanical influences;

    • Manifesto of Mechanical Art established a new understanding of art’s relationship with technology.

Development of Urban Planning in Washington, D.C.

  • Foundational History

    • Land acquired largely through land grants; Georgetown flourished as a tobacco merchant hub.

    • Design assignment given to Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1791), tasked with creating the capital.

  • Controversies

    • Ongoing debates over the architectural vision between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson:

    • Washington favored a strong federal presence, while Jefferson advocated for localized governance.

  • Architectural Contributions

    • James Hoban's design for the White House; influenced by classical European styles.

    • The Capitol building designed through collaboration among multiple architects.

Urban Photography in the 20th Century

  • Margaret Bourke-White

    • Notable for early disaster photography; captured the 1937 Ohio River flooding for Life magazine.

    • Created impactful visual narratives contrasting idealized American life with the economic realities of the time.

  • Robert Frank and Subway Portraits

    • Series captured candid, unguarded moments in public space (1941).

  • Gordon Parks' Contributions

    • First African American staff photographer for Life magazine;

    • Focus on depictions of Harlem, emphasizing racial inequalities through photodocumentary work.

    • Collaboration with Ralph Ellison; aimed to correct misrepresentations of African American life.

Contemporary Urban Artwork

  • Cornbread McCray (Darryl McCray)

    • Emerged in the 1980s in NYC as a proponent of public art; used chalk to engage communities with art.

  • Darius Jones/Leon Reed

    • Known for sign alterations; commentary on urban experiences.

  • Banksy

    • Renowned for his anonymity and social commentary through street art.

    • Continues to generate significant interest in both the street art realm and the wider art market.