John Sloan - McSorley's Bar [1912]

John Sloan - McSorley's Bar [1912], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

John French Sloan (August 2, 1871 – September 8, 1951) was an American artist. As a member of The Eight, a group of American artists, he became a leading figure in the Ashcan School of realist artists. He was known for his urban genre painting and ability to capture the essence of neighbourhood life in New York City, often through his window.

McSorley’s Old Ale House was established by John McSorley in 1854. Men of note frequented the saloon and paid homage to the affable John McSorley, described as a quirky, sometimes crusty individual with ‘a lot of unassumed dignity’.

[Oil on canvas, 66.04 x 81.28 cm]