Saturday Afternoon on the Roof 1919

"Saturday Afternoon on the Roof," a 1919 etching by American artist John Sloan (1871-1951), depicts a scene of everyday life in the crowded urban environment of early 20th century New York City. This poignant work captures a moment of respite on a rooftop where a man lays sleeping, surrounded by laundry lines, buildings, and a few figures in the background. Sloan's etching, characterized by its stark lines and expressive use of shadow and light, is an example of his Ashcan School style, which focused on depicting the realities of urban life.