Artwork
Two Girls
Two Girls is an ink print by George Bellows. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center on stone: Geo Bellows-; lower left in graphite: No 3; lower center in graphite: Two girls.; lower right in graphite: Geo Bellows; upper right corner in graphite by unknown hand: 28.; lower left edge in graphite by unknown hand: 3500 [undeciphered]
About this work
Overview
George Bellows's 1917 lithograph, Two Girls, depicts two nude female figures leaning over a large, circular object set against a simple background.
Subject & Meaning
The subject's identity remains ambiguous due to blurred facial features, with the title providing the only hint about the figures. The emphasis lies in the capture of a fleeting, intimate moment rather than individual portrayal.
Technique & Style
Executed in black lithograph on laid paper, the work features rough, dark lines and a scratchy, uneven technique, imparting a sense of vitality and spontaneity to the figures.
History & Provenance
Created in 1917, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
Two Girls reflects Bellows's exploration of everyday life and intimate scenes, characteristic of his broader artistic themes during this period.
Legacy
While the piece's direct influence is not elaborated here, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Bellows's lithographic works and their contribution to early 20th-century printmaking.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
Getting Up (Le lever)
Le repos du modèle (4e planche) (The Model's Rest) (fourth plate)
Misery (La Misère)
Study of a Woman, Viewed from the Back (Étude de femme vue de dos)
Going to Bed (Le coucher)
The Murder (Le Meurtre)
Going to Bed (Le coucher)
Getting Up (Le lever)
The Dead Man (Der tote Mann)
Nude with Her Arms Raised (Le modèle nue les bras levés)
The Feathered Turban (Le turban à aigrette)
Two Girls, first state