Who painted The Holdup, second state?

The Holdup, second state was painted by George Bellows in 1921.

Where can I see The Holdup, second state?

The Holdup, second state is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

The Holdup, second state

George Bellows , 1921

The Holdup, second state is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1921, *The Holdup, second state* is a print by American realist George Bellows. Part of a series that investigates street‑level encounters, the work presents a compact interior scene that conveys the tension of a sudden confrontation. Bellows’ reputation for portraying the energy of early‑20th‑century New York informs the composition, which isolates two figures in a starkly lit space.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows two men positioned opposite each other in a dimly illuminated room. The figure on the left is clothed in dark garments, while his counterpart on the right wears lighter clothing and a hat, adopting a defensive stance. The juxtaposition of attire and posture suggests a power imbalance, inviting speculation about a robbery or altercation that has just begun.

Technique & Style

Bellows employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing light to carve the forms of the two men from deep shadows. The contrast between illuminated highlights and enveloping darkness creates a dramatic mood and emphasizes the physical tension between the figures. The print’s line work and tonal gradations reflect Bellows’ characteristic vigor and his commitment to rendering urban scenes with immediacy.

History & Provenance

The piece now resides in private and institutional collections that focus on early modern American printmaking.

The work belongs to a sequence of prints Bellows produced in the early 1920s that explore street‑level drama. While the exact exhibition history of this particular state is limited, the series was shown in several galleries during Bellows’ lifetime, contributing to his standing as a leading chronicler of American city life. The piece now resides in private and institutional collections that focus on early modern American printmaking.

Artist & collection

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.