New York City Scene - Under the "EL"
Dateca. 1900
CultureAmerican
Mediumpastel on paper
DimensionsSight: 9 3/8 x 12 1/4 in. (23.8 x 31.1 cm)
Framed: 19 3/4 x 24 3/4 x 1 3/8 in. (50.2 x 62.9 x 3.5 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Michael and Heidi Campbell
Object number98.0034.03
DescriptionEarly in the 20th century George Luks, a member of the Ashcan School and one of "The Eight," depicted the human condition with a sense of optimism amidst the preoccupation of deteriorating social conditions. Like Everett Shinn, with whom he worked at the Philadelphia Press and New York World, Luks had a background as a political cartoonist and newspaper and magazine illustrator during the late 1890s, the decade during which the artist-reporter was in style - until replaced by photography. Stylistically, Luks' painterly technique, dramatic lighting, and versatile, but limited palette were greatly influenced by masters of the Dutch Baroque. Luks transforms an ordinarily dingy street scene into a picturesque work. The representation is a personal one as indicated by the almost romantic use of a muted blue and violet palette to create a warm glow at dusk.
