George Wesley Bellows, N.A. 1882-1925.
Artists Judging Works of Art. 1916. Lithograph. Mason 18. 14 1/2 x 19 (sheet 18 3/4 x 26 7/8). Edition aproximately 52. A rich impression printed on Japanese mulberry paper, on the full sheet with deckle edges. This is a fine lifetime impression. Provenance: H.V. Allison &Co. Inc., New York; Chapellier Galleries, Inc, New York; Galleries Marcus Stenberg, Chicago. Gift of Marcus to a Texas collector. Signed and annotated 'No. 25' in pencil by the artist. Framed and glazed. $11,750
Bellows places a bottle with the word "proof" in the lower center of the image. The pun is on alcohol as well as a lithographic proof.
Bellows wrote, "The result of a young artist's first service on an official jury. For fear of offense none of the 'likenesses' will be painted out. They are whoever they are."
The catalogue of Bellows' lithographs states, "The setting is probably the National Arts Club. Bellows pictured himself as the observer in the upper right, in this satirical comment on the contemporary art world. His friend, Robert Henri, is possibly the figure seated in the shadow, right foreground.
Tha National Arts Club is a private club in Gramercy Park, New York City, New York, USA. It was founded in 1898 to "stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts and to educate the American people in the fine arts". Since 1906 the organization has occupied the Samuel J. Tilden House, a landmark Gothic Revival brownstone at 15 Gramercy Park, immediately next door and West of the Players Club, with similar interests. The club offers a variety of shows, educational programs, and awards in areas including theater, visual arts, film, literature and music. It is noted for allowing members access to a Gramercy Park key.
A drawing that appeared in The Masses, April 1915, titled 'Jury Duty' closely resembles this lithograph."
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