Who painted Business Men's Class?

Business Men's Class was painted by George Bellows in 1916.

Where can I see Business Men's Class?

Business Men's Class is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Business Men's Class

George Bellows , 1916

Business Men's Class is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1936.630
Credit line: Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.

About this work

Overview

Business Men's Class is a print by George Bellows depicting a humorous scene of office workers engaging in an exercise class at the West Side YMCA in New York City, where Bellows once resided.

Subject & Meaning

The print satirizes the efforts of sedentary office workers to adopt physical fitness through calisthenics, highlighting the awkwardness and disparity between the instructor's grace and the participants' clumsy attempts to mimic the movements.

Technique & Style

The work is characterized by its realistic, unpolished portrayal of everyday life, reflecting Bellows' observational approach to capturing the nuances of human behavior in mundane settings.

History & Provenance

Created during Bellows' residency at the West Side YMCA after his 1904 move from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City, the print draws from his firsthand experience of the location and its activities.

Context

Emerging in the early 1900s, the piece is part of a broader trend in American art focusing on everyday life and humor, reflecting societal concerns about health and the sedentary nature of urban, office-based lifestyles.

En v'la un, il pourrait bien être malheureux..., Honoré Daumier

Artist & collection

Artist

George Bellows

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.