The Darby School of Art: A Forgotten Chapter in the History of American Impressionist and Modern Painting

The Darby School of Art was a summer art school in Darby, PA, and Fort Washington, PA, founded and operated by Thomas Anshutz and Hugh Breckenridge. It introduced new ideas about painting to a public initially unresponsive to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and semi-abstract art. It also sympathized with the New Woman movement, which backed women who wanted to pursue careers outside of the home. Mark Sullivan argues that the Philadelphia area was a genuine hub of avant-garde painting in the early twentieth century and that the Darby School should be recognized as an institution that got behind the idea of women as professional artists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

The Darby School of Art, a nearly forgotten summer art school, thrived between 1898 and 1918 in Darby, PA, and later in Fort Washington, PA. Founded and operated by Thomas Anshutz and Hugh Breckenridge, two artists who taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts during the academic year, the school brought a fresh perspective on painting to Philadelphia. After their European travels, Anshutz and Breckenridge introduced new ideas about Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and semi-abstract art to a public initially unresponsive to these styles. However, a gradual appreciation for modern painting began to grow among Philadelphia artists and collectors, with Anshutz and Breckenridge leading the way. They also aligned themselves with the New Woman movement, supporting women who sought careers outside of the home.

In this revised account, expert Mark Sullivan argues that the Philadelphia area was a genuine hub of avant-garde painting in the early twentieth century, despite its reputation for lagging behind New York City in its openness to new styles. The school also explores how the Darby School should be recognized for its pioneering support of women as professional artists, a concept that was quite radical at the time.

The Darby School of Art played a significant role in shaping the artistic landscape of the region. Its innovative teaching methods and emphasis on contemporary styles influenced a generation of artists, including many who went on to achieve national recognition. The school's commitment to promoting women as artists was particularly noteworthy, as it challenged traditional gender roles and paved the way for future generations of female artists.

Despite its impact, the Darby School of Art has largely been forgotten over the years. Its legacy has been overshadowed by the more prominent art schools in New York City, and its contributions to the development of modern art have been overlooked. However, this new history seeks to rectify that oversight by highlighting the school's significance and its role in shaping the artistic landscape of the early twentieth century.

In conclusion, the Darby School of Art was a remarkable institution that played a vital role in the development of modern art in the Philadelphia area. Its founders, Thomas Anshutz and Hugh Breckenridge, brought a fresh perspective on painting to the city and supported women as artists, challenging traditional gender roles and paving the way for future generations. Despite its obscurity, the school's legacy deserves to be recognized and celebrated, and its contributions to the artistic landscape of the early twentieth century should be acknowledged and honored.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781955041256