William James Glackens (1870 to 1938)
American Impressionist William Glackens is one of the most influential American painters of the first decades of the 20th century. Circa 1900 he met Robert Henri and they shared a studio for several years. Henri encouraged Glackens to move beyond his initial success as a witty magazine artist-illustrator in Philadelphia and New York to a full-time artist. This led to his participation in the forward thinking group of artists dubbed “The Eight” and his development as a perceptive interpreter of his surroundings. The landmark 1908 exhibition at the Macbeth Gallery of his easel paintings tagged him along with the other artists as the “Ashcan School” for their often harsh and dark depictions of urban reality. One of the most versatile and popular artists of his time, he also portrayed the light-hearted modern French themes of spirited cafes and bustling parks and resorts. As an admirer or Renoir, his name became linked with the modern artists who exhibited their work at the famous Armory Show of 1913, which Glackens helped to organize. Glackens’ mature style, palette and choice of subject matter most clearly show why he was often referred to as the “American Renoir”.
The Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale Florida, was the recipient of Ira Glackens’, son of William Glackens, entire personal collection of over 500 works by his father. The Museum is the permanent home to exhibit this important collection of art.