(Attributed to) George Luks
(American, 1866-1922)
Study Portrait of a Woman, 1916-1920
Oil on canvas, 26” x 20”
Art Purchase Committee
67.6
George Luks was part of a group of American artists derogatorily dubbed “The Ashcan School” due to their often gritty subject matter and loose painting style. Like Luks, some had developed their skills as illustrators for newspapers and periodicals when it was yet impractical to use photographic reproductions. The phrase “attributed to” appears in this artwork’s caption because it is not signed and is somewhat different from from Luks’ unique style. Attached however is a statement from Luks’ widow attesting to this being painted by her husband. Whomever painted this work, they possessed great skill at capturing their subject with quick and energetic brushstrokes.