Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
John Sloan Biography
John French Sloan, born on August 2, 1871, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, was an American painter, etcher, and illustrator whose work offers a vibrant narrative of early 20th-century life in New York City. Sloan's journey into the world of art began under challenging circumstances. At the age of sixteen, he was compelled to leave school and work full-time to support his family after his father's business failed. This early responsibility did not deter Sloan; instead, it led him to discover his passion for art. He found employment at a bookstore and print dealer, where he sold greeting cards and copies of etchings by renowned artists such as Rembrandt and Dürer, which he had made himself. This job allowed him many hours to read and examine the works in the store's print department, where he created his earliest surviving works.
Sloan's formal art education was limited but impactful. He attended drawing classes at the Spring Garden Institute and began working as a freelance commercial artist. In 1892, he joined the art department of the Philadelphia Inquirer and later studied drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts under Thomas Pollock Anshutz. It was during this period that Sloan became one of the founders of the Charcoal Club, a group of young artists who sought to break away from the academy's constraints. His career as a newspaper artist in Philadelphia served as an alternative art education, where he spent twelve years honing his skills.
The turning point in Sloan's career came when he met Robert Henri, a charismatic artist who encouraged Sloan and his fellow artists to paint the world around them. Inspired by Henri, Sloan began to paint seriously, focusing on portraits and Philadelphia city scenes. In 1904, Sloan and his wife, Anna Maria Wall, known as Dolly, moved to New York City. This move marked the beginning of Sloan's most productive period, during which he painted many of his best-known works, focusing on urban street life as his subject matter.
Sloan's work is characterized by its vibrant depiction of everyday life in New York City. He was a central figure in the Ashcan School, a movement that sought to portray the gritty reality of urban life. Sloan's paintings, such as "McSorley's Bar" (1912), "Sixth Avenue Elevated at Third Street" (1928), and "Wake of the Ferry" (1907), capture the essence of neighborhood life in New York City, often observed through his Chelsea studio window. His work is noted for its painterly style, dark palette, and sympathetic but unsentimental depictions of the working class.
In addition to his painting, Sloan was a committed teacher, influencing a generation of artists as an instructor at the Art Students League. He was also involved in social reform, contributing illustrations to the socialist periodical The Masses. Sloan's commitment to social issues and his belief in the power of art to effect change were integral to his work.
Sloan's legacy extends beyond his contributions to the Ashcan School. He played a leading role in the development of modern American realism, broadening the subjects considered suitable for fine art. His work paved the way for the Social Realists and influenced the development of the Contemporary Realism movement. Despite the critical and financial challenges he faced, particularly with his later nudes and portraits, Sloan remained dedicated to experimentation and innovation throughout his career.
John Sloan died on September 7, 1951, in Hanover, New Hampshire, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences. His paintings provide a window into the soul of early 20th-century America, capturing the vibrancy, complexity, and spirit of its urban landscapes and inhabitants. Through his art, Sloan not only documented city life but also celebrated the human spirit, making him one of the most important American artists of his time.
John Sloan Quotes and Sales of
Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: