Eight Questions About The Eight

A group of artists interested in capturing the true pulse of early 20th century urban America first met in Philadelphia, then gained more members in New York. They ultimately became known as The Eight, and these Eight would initiate a style of painting often referred to as The Ashcan School, since many of their works showed a "sooty" or "unappealing" side of life.

The Eight’s premier exhibit took place in 1908 at Manhattan’s Macbeth Gallery, causing quite a stir within the art world. While not all members of The Eight focused on urban realism, they were all innovative in their own way and created a new and independent American artistic style. The roster of The Eight read as follows: pivotal founder Robert Henri, former Philadelphia newspaper artists John Sloan, William Glackens, George Luks and Everett Shinn, then Arthur B. Davies, Ernest Lawson and Maurice Prendergast rounding out the group in New York.

1. Which of The Eight changed his last name as a young man? **** Robert Henri was born Robert Henry Cozad, but after his father shot and killed another man during a fight, the Cozads had to lay low for a while until their patriarch’s name was cleared. Robert Cozad therefore before Robert Henri, and despite the French spelling, Henri always pronounced his adopted last name in an Americanized manner, i.e., HEN-RYE.

2. Which Eight artist took a long time to finish a painting? **** John Sloan generally did not like to be rushed in his work; in fact, Robert Henri commented how the name Sloan must stand for the past participle of Slow.

3. Which member of The Eight complained that another should drink more? **** George Luks was annoyed and confused by Everett Shinn’s teetotaling ways and felt that being sober would keep Shinn from "making the grade" as an artist. As Luks claimed: "Licker does it, licker and nothing else…"

4. Which Eight painter was quite the snappy dresser? **** While he kept away from booze, Everett Shinn was apparently a sharp and colorfully-dressed fellow.

5. Which of The Eight painted the beautiful blue-green 1907 Night’s Overture? **** Arthur B. Davies, with that B standing for Bowen. Click here to view the work on the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ website.

6. Which Eight member was asked to help major collector Albert C. Barnes pick out some paintings? **** William Glackens helped his former Philadelphia high school classmate and future art patron to choose a group of Paris works, which would form the genesis of the well-known Barnes Foundation and Museum.

7. Which member of The Eight was born in Nova Scotia? **** Ernest Lawson came into being in Halifax on March 22, 1873.

8. Which member of The Eight’s middle name was also that of a South American country? **** Maurice Brazil Prendergast.