George Bellows Biography and Artwork

George Wesley Bellows was a renowned American realist painter born in Columbus, Ohio in 1882. Although he studied at Ohio State University, Bellows moved to New York City in 1904 to pursue art as a profession. Influenced by painter Robert Henri and associated with The Eight, Bellows became known for his bold depictions of urban life in the city.

Bellows was primarily self-taught but discovered his love for drawing early on, even before he began elementary school. His ability to capture everyday scenes with striking realism made him a major American artist of the early 20th century. He completed nearly two hundred lithographs of his paintings; these precise recreations highlighted the power of his images and allowed them to reach an even wider audience.

Bellows developed a signature style that valued vivid colors and deep contrasts, evoking a sense of drama that reflected on urbanity’s darker side. Throughout his career, Bellows explored themes such as social concerns as well as celebrations — ranging from boxing matches to landscapes — earning him critical acclaim during his lifetime and beyond.

Even after Bellows passed away unexpectedly at the age of forty-two due to appendicitis-related complications, his impact on American art remained undeniable. Today, many consider him one of America’s best-known artists thanks to his contributions’ strength and significance during the modernist era.

All George Bellows Artwork on Artchive

Artwork Name Year Medium
A Morning Snow - Hudson River 1910 Oil On Canvas
River Rats 1906 Oil On Canvas
Paddy Flannigan 1908 Oil On Canvas
Beach at Coney Island 1908 Oil on Canvas
Cliff Dwellers 1913 Oil on Canvas
Stag at Sharkey's 1909 oil
Excavation at Night 1908 Oil on Canvas
Forty-two Kids 1907 Oil on Canvas
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