Artwork

Street Scene (New York)

Street Scene (New York), by Jerome Myers, ink, 1922
Street Scene (New York), by Jerome Myers, ink, 1922

Street Scene (New York) is an ink print by Jerome Myers. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Street Scene (New York) is a 1922 lithograph by Jerome Myers, an artist associated with the Ashcan School. The work captures a moment in the daily life of New York City, depicting a bustling street corner with old buildings and a group of children in the foreground.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph focuses on the everyday experiences of urban dwellers, characteristic of the Ashcan School’s emphasis on portraying common city life. The scene contrasts the worn, deteriorating architecture with the vitality of the children playing.

Technique & Style

Myers employed sharp lines in the lithograph to juxtapose the rough textures of the aged buildings with the smooth renderings of the children’s clothing, creating a visual dichotomy.

History & Provenance

Created in 1922, the work is part of Myers’ longstanding body of work dedicated to New York City life, reflecting his empathetic approach to depicting urban existence.

Context

As an Ashcan School artist, Myers’ work was influenced by the movement’s commitment to realistic portrayals of urban life, diverging from more romanticized or elite subjects prevalent in early 20th-century American art.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Street Scene (New York)* are not provided, Myers’ contributions to the Ashcan School and his documentation of early 20th-century New York City life continue to offer valuable insights into the era’s social and urban landscape.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jerome Myers

Artist

Jerome Myers

Jerome Myers (March 20, 1867 – June 19, 1940) was an American artist and writer associated with the Ashcan School, particularly known for his sympathetic depictions of the urban landscape and its people.

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