Artwork
An Alcove in the Art Students' League
An Alcove in the Art Students' League is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Charles Courtney Curran. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Accession no.
- 90333
- Credit line
- Bequest of Kate L. Brewster
About this work
Overview
This oil on canvas painting depicts a scene from the Art Students' League in New York, capturing the atmosphere and activities of its students.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork shows male and female students engaged in drawing and sculpting, surrounded by classical sculptures and reproductions of Renaissance works, such as Michelangelo's 'Night'.
Technique & Style
The use of chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark, is evident in the painting, adding depth to the scene.
Context
The Art Students' League was an institution where artists learned by drawing from casts of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, progressing to live models after mastering the classical forms.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Courtney Curran (13 February 1861 – 9 November 1942) was an American impressionist painter. He is best known for his canvases depicting women in various settings, as well as for his leadership role at the Cragsmoor Art Colony.
Art students
Studio Interior with Artists Working
Intérieur de l'atelier de Gros
Louis Kronberg in His Studio in Copley Hall
The Life Class at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts
In the Studio
Female Students at the Royal Academy Schools
The Life Class at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Male Nude in the Studio of Bonnat
În atelier
Painter in the studio