Artwork
Head of Anne
Head of Anne is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1922, *Head of Anne* is a print by American artist George Bellows, whose work is often associated with realist depictions of early twentieth‑century life. The piece presents a close‑up view of a young woman's face and shoulders, rendered with a direct, observational approach. It is part of the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a girl named Anne, shown from the shoulders up. Her hair is gathered under a simple headband, and a modest collar frames her neck, suggesting an informal, everyday setting rather than a formal portrait. The intimate scale invites viewers to consider the individuality of the sitter within Bellows’s broader interest in ordinary people.
Technique & Style
Executed with quick, loose lines, the print displays a spontaneous handling of form. The shading is rendered in soft, uneven strokes that retain the texture of the artist’s hand, giving the work a sense of immediacy. The visible marks and lack of polished finish indicate a study or practice piece rather than a fully finished composition.
History & Provenance
Signed only with Bellows’s initials, the work reflects his practice of producing rapid studies alongside larger paintings. After its creation, *Head of Anne* entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view as an example of the artist’s lesser‑known printmaking activity during the early 1920s.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
