The Ashcan School was a group of early 20th-century American artists who sought to depict urban life in all its gritty reality. They focused on portraying everyday scenes from city streets, tenements, and working-class neighborhoods with an unflinching eye for detail.
Related terms
Realism: An artistic movement that aimed to represent subjects truthfully without idealization or romanticizing.
Robert Henri: A prominent leader and teacher associated with the Ashcan School who encouraged his students to embrace individuality in their art.
John Sloan: One of the key members of the Ashcan School known for his paintings depicting New York City street scenes.