Glenn O Coleman Paintings

Glenn O. Coleman was an American painter and printmaker, known for his urban realist works and association with the Ashcan School, an artistic movement in the United States during the early 20th century that sought to portray the everyday life of New York City with all its vitality, chaos, and poverty. Born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1887, Coleman moved to New York City where he studied at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League.

Coleman was influenced by the works of the Ashcan School artists, such as Robert Henri and John Sloan, and shared their interest in the lives of ordinary people and the bustling streets of the city. He was particularly drawn to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood teeming with immigrants and various facets of urban life.

His paintings often depicted the city's skyscrapers, bridges, and crowded streets, capturing the dynamic energy and the architectural transformation of New York during the early 20th century. Coleman was adept at using strong lines and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, which added a sense of movement and vitality to his urban landscapes.

During his career, Coleman exhibited at various institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. His work was also part of the 1913 Armory Show, a landmark event in American art history that introduced the American public to European avant-garde movements.

Coleman also worked as an illustrator for several magazines, further disseminating his vision of urban life to a broader audience. Despite his relatively short life, passing away in 1932 at the age of 45, Coleman left behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its honest and vibrant portrayal of early 20th-century America.