John Sloan (1871-1951)

John Sloan is one of this century's most well known American artists and master printmakers. He is remembered as a member of "The Eight," a group that was instrumental in the modernization of American art, and whose efforts led to the famous 1913 Armory Show. He was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania in 1871. His family soon moved to Philadelphia in 1876. Sloan advanced his art career as free-lance artist specializing in illustration and design. In 1892 he took a full-time job with the art department of the Philadelphia Inquirer. In the fall of 1892 Sloan enrolled in a night class under Thomas Anshutz at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. While in Philadelphia, Sloan became close friends with other artists including Robert Henri, William Glackens, George Luks and Everett Shinn. Sloan moved to New York City in 1904. There he spent the greatest part of his life living and working in or around Greenwich Village and teaching at the Art Students League. Sloan is probably best known for his humanistic views of urban life that he produced in both painting and etching mediums. As the leaders of the Ashcan School of American Art, Henri and Sloan proclaimed that all life was fit subject matter for the artist.

The Picture Buyer. Etching 5 1/4 x 7. 1911. State 5/5. Ed. 100. Printing 85. Pencil signed, titled and inscribed 'Peters imp.' Morse 153. Laid paper. Here William Macbeth in his gallery hopes to make a sale. This print was exhibited in Armory Show, 1913 and was the only Sloan image sold.

Anshutz on Anatomy for sale

Anshutz on Anatomy. Etching 7 1/2 x 9. 1912. State 8/8. Ed. 100. Printing 80. Pencil signed, titled, noted 100 proofs and inscribed 'Peter Platt imp'. Morse 155. Wove paper. Exhibited at the Armory Show, 1913. Thomas Anshutz is delivering his guest lecture on anatomy in Robert Henri's class at the New York School of Art. Sloan, Henri and Glackens were students of Anshutz at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Among those recognizable in the print are Robert and Linda Henri, George Bellows, Walter Pach, Rockwell Kent and John and Dolly Sloan.

Snowstorm in the Village. Etching 7 x 5 . 1925. State 3/3. Ed. 100. Printing 100. Pencil signed, titled, noted 100 proofs and inscribed 'Chas. White imp.' Morse 216. Laid paper. This view from Sloan's studio window shows the Jefferson Market Court tower and elevated tracks on Sixth Avenue during a swirling snowstorm.

Subway Stairs. Etching. 7 x 5. 1926. State 7/7. Ed. 100. Printing 60. Pencil signed, titled, noted 100 proofs and inscribed 'Chas. White imp.' Morse 221. Wove paper. Sloan depicts in his humanistic and illustrative style the effect of a subway updraft on a full skirt.