Artwork

An Illustration

An Illustration, by Robert Frederick Blum, 1883
An Illustration, by Robert Frederick Blum, 1883

An Illustration is a print by the Impressionist artist Robert Frederick Blum. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

An Illustration, a print by Robert Frederick Blum from 1883, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a vibrant, crowded street scene.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures everyday life with people engaged in various activities—walking, conversing, carrying goods—amidst a background of theatrical performance, conveying the dynamism of urban existence.

Technique & Style

Blum employed quick, sketchy lines to evoke movement and energy, while simplifying facial and clothing details to emphasize liveliness, aligning with Realist tendencies of capturing unpolished, real moments.

History & Provenance

Created in 1883, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, with its creation reflecting the artistic shift towards realism during that period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Frederick Blum

Artist

Robert Frederick Blum

Robert Frederick Blum was an American artist. He was one of the youngest members of the National Academy of Design and was President of the Painters in Pastel and a member of the Society of American Artists and the…

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