Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog number |
P294 |
Artist |
Davis, Stuart |
Title |
New Jersey Landscape |
Date |
1939 |
Object Name |
Woodcut |
Description |
Lithograph of an abstract landscape by Stuart Davis (1894-1964). American abstract artist, Stuart Davis, grew up within a family of artists. His mother, Helen Stuart Foulke, was a sculptor and his father, Edward Wyatts Davis, was a newspaper art editor who worked with prominent members of Robert Henri’s (an American painter who rejected the conservative teachings of American academic art and impressionism) anti-academy group. Dropping out of high school at age 16, Davis decided to pursue painting under Robert Henri’s wing in the Ashcan school. The Ashcan school emphasized urban realism—illustrating the realistic life of the urban poor. By 1913, Davis completed and exhibited five watercolors for the Armory Show. The Armory Show showcased various avant-garde European art (such as Impressionist, Symbolist, Postimpressionist, Fauve, and Cubist work) which inspired Davis to pursue modernism. By the 1920’s, Davis abandoned urban realism and started to experiment with collages. The collages were bright ‘Pop-like’ abstract pieces—certain pieces he reproduced by painting (i.e, Lucky Strike). During the Great Depression, Davis worked under the Public Workers of Arts Project (later known as the WPA). The New Jersey Landscape is a lithograph produced during his time in the WPA. Focusing on rhythmic and geometric lines, shapes, and perspective, Davis created a city scene that was inspired during his time in Paris. An expression of the movement of modernity that is clashing and transforming city living. Davis’s artwork became increasingly political. Part of the Progressive Era, Davis sought to address issues of fascism, urbanization, and industrialization through his art. |
Medium/Material |
Ink on paper |
Dimensions |
H-7.75 W-13.75 inches |
Exhibition and Publication History |
* "Working Through the Great Depression," February 9 - June, 2009, Godwin-Ternbach Museum, CUNY, A. Winter and M. Simon, Curators. *Exhibited in 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers: Art of the Natural World', 4/11-7/31/2019. *Exhibited at 'THE GIFT: Queens College Collects', Feb 23 - May 25, 2023. |
Culture |
American |