My Family 1916

George Bellows made this painting of his family sometime around the turn of the century with oil on canvas. I can imagine him building up the layers, starting with thin washes and gradually thickening the paint, especially in the foreground leaves. Notice how the strokes of color create a sense of movement and energy, almost like the scene is breathing. I can imagine him thinking about Manet or Cezanne, you know, trying to capture the light and shadow in a fresh, immediate way. There's a gentleness in how Bellows depicts his family, a quiet intimacy that draws you in. He's also known for his dynamic depictions of urban life and boxing matches, so it is nice to see a different side of him. I bet he learned things from both genres. He certainly leaves enough room for interpretation. Artists are always riffing off each other, isn’t it great?