George Bellows – 42 Kids
Museums And GalleriesPublished February 11, 2009 at 9:11 am No CommentsI wanted to post this painting because it is one of my favorites. It brings me a great deal of joy. I was fortunate enough to view the original when it was shown at the New York Historical Society in New York City – LIFE’S PLEASURES: THE ASHCAN ARTISTS’ BRUSH WITH LEISURE, 1895-1925.
The original is much more beautiful than any reproduction I have seen. For instance the water in the background in the original is not black at all but umber and has a great deal of atmosphere.
I have read that the term “kids” (in the title) had a connotation of lower class kids, who would get in trouble and run through the streets. In the details of this painting, some kids are smoking and some are urinating. It is a true image of a gritty urban summer.
George Bellows lived a few blocks away from where I live now. There is a sign on his house saying he lived and worked there from one date to another. It is a beautiful, small townhouse with large slanted windows on the top floor to what looks like a two story studio. I imagine him up there, as my brother in art, working into the night, when I see the lights on.
He died at age 42 apparently from a ruptured appendix. While I never knew him, sometimes I feel I miss him.
This is a link to information about the painting at the Corcoran Collection. After all they are the ones who own the piece.
