Artwork
Head of Anne
Head of Anne is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1936.590
- Credit line
- Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1922, Head of Anne is a print by American artist George Bellows, whose work is often associated with realist depictions of early twentieth‑century life. The piece presents a close‑up view of a young woman's face and shoulders, rendered with a direct, observational approach. It is part of the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a girl named Anne, shown from the shoulders up. Her hair is gathered under a simple headband, and a modest collar frames her neck, suggesting an informal, everyday setting rather than a formal portrait. The intimate scale invites viewers to consider the individuality of the sitter within Bellows’s broader interest in ordinary people.
Technique & Style
Executed with quick, loose lines, the print displays a spontaneous handling of form. The shading is rendered in soft, uneven strokes that retain the texture of the artist’s hand, giving the work a sense of immediacy. The visible marks and lack of polished finish indicate a study or practice piece rather than a fully finished composition.
History & Provenance
Signed only with Bellows’s initials, the work reflects his practice of producing rapid studies alongside larger paintings. After its creation, Head of Anne entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view as an example of the artist’s lesser‑known printmaking activity during the early 1920s.
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.
