John French Sloan was a 20th-century painter and etcher who was one of the founders of the Ashcan school of American art. His style is notable for its cityscapes and figure paintings. One such famous artwork is his 1912 painting titled ‘Sorley’s Bar’. This painting celebrates male companionship, as it showcases men from different walks of life gathering in a traditional saloon – such as the McSorley’s Bar in the Mc York neighborhood, which Sloan frequented.
The painting is an insight into how people interact with each other in external social settings like a bar or pub. It shows off Sloan’s skill in capturing facial expressions, which brings realism and an animation to his artwork. His vibrant colors and perspective create a sense of boisterousness and amusement that can be seen in his other pieces too –such as his painting titled ‘Mcsorley’s Back Room’ (1912).
By focusing on social scenes and depicting realistic interactions between people, John Sloan captured the importance of human connection and companionship effectively in all his artwork. From setting foot inside McSorley’s Bar, to creating artworks like Sorley’s Bar and Mcsorley’s Back Room, he has sought to remind us about something fundamental – we are all united by our shared experiences.
