Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 [Hardcover]

James Tottis (Author), Valerie Ann Leeds (Author), Vincent Digirolamo (Author), Marianne Doezema (Author), Suzanne Smeaton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1858943841 | ISBN-13: 978-1858943848 | Publication Date: July 1, 2007

The images that are often associated with the Ashcan school of artists are the more sombre depictions of working-class life in early twentieth-century New York. This subject matter is not, however, representative of the entire spectrum of Ashcan art. Featuring some of the Ashcan school's most vibrant and outstanding works, this book demonstrates unequivocally the zeal with which these artists and their circle embraced the world of play enjoyed by all levels of society. Spirited scenes of diverse leisure activities in cafes, bars and parks, at the theatre, on the beach, at sporting events and in the countryside provide a refreshing look at this important artistic movement. Offering a fresh exploration of a major American artistic movement, "Life's Pleasures" includes works by George Bellows, William Glackens, Robert Henri, Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, George Luks, Guy Pene du Bois, Maurice Prendergast, Everett Shinn and John Sloan, among others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Tottis is Associate Curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Merrell Publishers (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858943841
• ISBN-13: 978-1858943848
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #722,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top pick for both New York and college-level art libraries., September 7, 2007

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 (Hardcover)

Relatively few primers offer in-depth details on the Ashcan artists: a school of early 20th-century American artists whose work centered around New York City life. Here the underworld of the City was often displayed - and LIFE'S PLEASURES is the first book to explore the lighter side of the Ashcan artists' works, featuring leisure scenes in cafes, bars and parks and movies. You'll recognize the artists' names ' Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, John Sloan - and the essays offer further insights on New York culture and artistic sentiment, making LIFE'S PLEASURES a top pick for both New York and college-level art libraries.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art Lover, February 8, 2008

By 

Roger L. Williams (Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 (Hardcover)

We are finally recognizing the importance of the Ashcan Artists to American and world art. This book should be in everybodys' library who likes art, particularly American Art.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anything but trash, May 9, 2008

By 

D. Pytko "Oldie Moldy" (Detroit) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 (Hardcover)

"Life's Pleasure: The Ashcan Brush with Leisure" is a wonderful reminder of the Ashcan artists show at the Detroit Institute of Art. Beautifully written and illustrated, "Life's Pleasure" comes highly recommended, especially if you cannot get to the exhibition to see in real life what is rendered by the presses.