John Sloan

born Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, 1871; died Hanover, New Hampshire, 1951

BiographyJohn Sloan grew up in Philadelphia, where he studied briefly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In 1892 he joined the art staff of the Philadelphia Inquirer. That year he met fellow artists, Robert Henri, who would become his life-long friend and inspire him to become a painter.

In 1904 Sloan moved to New York, where he continued to work as an illustrator and became increasingly interested in depicting city life and city scenes. He participated in many major exhibitions such as "The Eight" in 1908, the Exhibition of Independent Artists in 1910, the 1913 Armory Show, and the first show of the Society of Independent Artists in 1917. Sloan was part of the group of artists dubbed The Eight or Ashcan School for their interest in depicting everyday subjects. Fellow members included George Bellows, Arthur Davies, William Glackens, Robert Henri, George Luks, Maurice Prendergast, and Everett Shinn.

In 1910 Sloan joined the Socialist Party and contributed illustrations to its publications, notably the magazine The Masses. With the advent of World War I he resigned from the party. About the same time he began spending summers away from the city, first at Gloucester, Massachusetts (1914–1919), and then in Santa Fe (from 1919). In 1916 he had his first one-person exhibition (at the Whitney Studio), began his association with Kraushaar Galleries, and started teaching at the Art Students League. He became president of the Society of Independent Artists in 1918, a post he held until 1944.

For more on the artist and his work visit the Delaware Art Museum John Sloan Research Portal: http://www.delart.org/collections/john-sloan/about-john-sloan/

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