William Glackens

About

Early in his career, William Glackens was an active Social Realist when the ‘Ash Can’ approach to painting was promoted by his good friend, Robert Henri.  However, Glackens eschewed subjects of the seamier side of society and adopted more refined depictions, such as upper class persons strolling in parks, sitting in cafes, and studio-posed still-lifes and figures.  He also did many paintings of seaside resorts on Cape Cod and Long Island, particularly Bellport, where he and his family spent summers.

Glackens studied briefly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with Thomas Anshutz, and there formed a strong bond of friendship with John Sloan, George Luks, Everett Shinn and Robert Henri.  He became part of “The Eight,” a landmark exhibition of urban realists, led by Henri, at the Macbeth Galleries.

In 1912, he went on an extensive art-buying trip in Europe for Albert Barnes.  The many works of Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne that Glackens purchased for Barnes became the center of the Museum collection.

Exhibitions with Somerville Manning Gallery

2020         American Masters: Art of the 20th – 21st Centuries

2016         American and European Masters – Art of the 20th – 21st Centuries

2015         American and European Masters: Art of the 19th – 20th Centuries

2014         Man’s Best Friend – The Art of the Dog

2012         American Masters: Art of the 19th and 20th Centuries

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