Avant Garde "Ashcan" Artists

Artists who depicted gritty street scenes, raucous crowds, and mundane activities in working class New York City neighborhoods in the first two decades of the 19th century were called the 'Ashcan School' artists. The movement was often associated with eight artists (The Eight), five of whom were from Philadelphia including the group’s founder, Robert Henri, and its leader, John Sloan. Other members were George Bellows and Edward Hopper. Learn about these painters who captured the color and exuberance of American city life at the dawn of a new century.