Rebels to the Eighth Power
In 1908 New York, an art exhibition consisting of works from eight artists, mostly Philadelphia and New York newspaper illustrators, opened. The works were reflecting the rebellious attitude of eight artists against the current American Impressionist movement. Their style reflected rough and tough urban life — drunks, prostitutes, boxers, and other working class images were there themes.
The exhibit catapulted these eight independent American artists and a new artistic movement. The artists, called The Eight, were a group of American painters who united to oppose academic traditions held by the established art world.
Their style advanced modernism, incorporating realist artistic movement, was dubbed the Ashcan style, (or the Ash Can school); named for its gritty portrayal of people living in the crowded tenements of New York’s working class and poorer neighborhoods.
The show toured the U.S. after becoming a New York sensation.
The styles and subject matter of The Eight vary greatly, but the original exhibit paved the way for future modern art shows. The Eight included Robert Henri, George Luks, William Glackens, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, Maurice Prendergast, Ernest Lawson and Arthur Bowen Davies.
The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC remembers the exhibit’s centennial with a special installation of 20 Ashcan works.
American Art Rebels – The Eight
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, NW, between Q and R Streets
Washington, DC 20009 (map it)
Dates and Times - September 27, 2008 – January 11, 2009. Hours – Saturday 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., Thursdays until 8:30 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Tickets - Are available online and are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors (62+) and students, free for 18 and under. Tickets include admission to the museum as well.
Nearest Metro subway station - Dupont Circle - Red line, use the Q Street exit. Then a
Parking - Metered street parking is available, but can be a bit challenging to find. Paid parking garages are available nearby.
Images – public domain – Bellows, Shinn,
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