Artwork

An Irish Girl

An Irish Girl, by George Bellows, crayon, 1922
An Irish Girl, by George Bellows, crayon, 1922

An Irish Girl is a crayon drawing by George Bellows. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

An Irish Girl is a 1922 drawing by George Bellows, executed in black crayon.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a seated woman in a wide-brimmed hat and long coat, with a ruffled underskirt visible behind her. The subject is rendered in a straightforward, observational manner.

Technique & Style

The artist's use of black crayon creates a stark contrast between the dark shading on the figure's face and clothing and the light background. Loose, quick lines characterize the drawing, with chiaroscuro – the use of strong contrasts between light and dark – adding depth to the image.

Artist & collection

Portrait of George Bellows

Artist

George Bellows

George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.