Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W3.1-3.5 through 8.1-8.5; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1-3.3 through
8.1-8.3; CCSS ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 and 4.7; CCS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.8
Realism: Telling American History
In the late 1800s, American artists were looking for ways to set their work
apart from traditional European art. They were inspired by what they observed in their own environment and the activities of their daily lives, which
became the subject of their work. The realists presented art that depicted
views of America and subject matter from all walks of life. As a result,
American Realism developed as a new and uniquely American form of art.
By making drawings, paintings and prints that looked realistic, artists
captured the changes taking place in American society in the early 1900s.
Through different schools and styles, artists like George Bellows, Thomas
Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, Martin Lewis, and Reginald Marsh created
images illustrating the development of cities, new recreational activities, the
effects of improved transportation and the differences between city life and
country life in America.
“Written by the staff at the Bruce Museum”
Did you
know?
American Realism in the early
1900s led to the development of
several artistic schools and styles.
For example, the Ashcan school
included a group of artists that
focused on urban, or city, scenes in
America, often in poor neighborhoods. In another example, the
American Scene style often focused
on showing American jobs, workers
and subjects that advanced American beliefs – like democracy and
equality.
Get Creative
Martin Lewis (American, 1881-1962)
Subway Steps, 1930
Drypoint, 13 ∏ x 8”
Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly
©Estate of Martin Lewis
You can create prints just like those of the American realists! Think about the environment where
you live. Who lives in your community? What buildings are in your town? What do you do every
day? Now make a print based on your observations! Here’s how:
You will need: Pencil; Styrofoam scratch board (this will be your printing plate); Thick paper (like
construction paper or card stock); Block ink (available at art/craft stores); Brayers (a roller used for
rolling ink onto printing plate, available at art/craft stores).
Directions:
1) Cut the scratch board so that it is smaller than the paper you are using.
2) Draw your design on the board with a pencil, pressing hard enough to leave an indentation, or
relief.
3) Roll the ink onto your scratch board with your brayer, spreading the ink evenly.
4) Place and firmly press your scratch board on top of your paper.
5) Carefully pull paper up and away, and enjoy your print!
Continued Fun!
Make a label to go with your print. Write a paragraph that answers the following questions: What
is in your environment? How might that environment change over time? What would historians
or museum visitors be able to tell about the environment if your print was on display one-hundred
years from now?