George Bellows: “Men of the Docks“, 1912
Sarah Newman, Curator at the Corcoran Gallery of Art discusses her research into George Bellows‘s paintings of a changing New York City.
National Gallery London buys masterpiece by Bellows The National Gallery has acquired ‘Men of the Docks’ (1912) by George Bellows (1882–1925) for a reported $25.5 million. This is the first painting by the American artist to enter a UK public collection.]]>
February 9, 2014 – source: National Gallery / theartwolf.com
If you have followed the evolution of the art market over the last years, you have probably read/listened to dozens of stories about American museums buying (or trying to buy) art masterpieces coming from famous British collections. These include the Getty museum acquiring Turner’s “Modern Rome: Campo Vaccino” (previously owned by the Earl of Rosebery), or the recent acquisition of Nicolas Poussin’s “Sacrament of Ordination” (previously at Belvoir Castle) by the Kimbell Art Museum.
For once, the roles have been reversed.
The National Gallery London has announced the acquisition of a masterpiece of American art: ‘Men of the Docks’ (1912) by George Bellows (1882–1925). The painting was previously exhibited at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. The painting had been on the market privately for some time, and six years ago Christie’s included it in its November auction of American Art, but the work was withdrawn few days before the sale. On that ocassion, the estimate of the painting was $25-35 million, so the $25.5 million paid now is very reasonable.
The National Gallery has stated in a press release that “(the acquisition) also marks a new direction in its acquisition policy – seeking to represent paintings in the Western European tradition, rather than solely those made by artists working in Western Europe“. In this direction, National Gallery Director Dr Nicholas Penny added that “Bellows has almost always been seen in the context of American painting, but the way he painted owed much to Manet, and his depiction of the violence and victims of New York derived from Goya and earlier Spanish art. He will seem as modern and original as ever in the National Gallery, but our visitors – many of them from North America – will understand him in a different way.“
So, what’s next? Will we see a Hudson River School masterpiece exhibited next to Constable’s “The Hay Wain”? A Winslow Homer? Maybe even a Hopper? Only time will tell. For now, enjoy this Ashcan School masterpiece
Related content
Christie’s to sell George Bellows’ “Men of the Docks” (news, November 2007)
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