Ten American Painters facts for kids
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The Ten American Painters, often called The Ten, was a group of artists who came together in 1898. They wanted to show their artwork as a team. John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir, and Childe Hassam were the main artists who started the group. They weren't happy with the traditional art world in America. So, they found seven other artists from cities like Boston and New York. Their goal was to create an art group that valued new ideas and amazing art shows. The Ten became very popular and lasted for twenty years before they stopped exhibiting together.
Forming The Ten American Painters
In America, new art styles often started in big East Coast cities. The Ten American Painters followed a pattern of artists forming new groups. This happened when they felt existing art groups weren't supporting them enough. For example, the National Academy of Design was founded in 1825. Later, it became too old-fashioned for some artists. These artists then started the Society of American Artists in 1877. They wanted a place to meet and show their work together.
The Ten American Painters grew out of this Society in 1898. Twachtman, Weir, and Hassam felt the Society didn't like their Impressionist style. Leaving the Society was seen as a brave move by many people. However, the Society of American Artists decided it was easier to let them go.
What is Impressionism?
Impressionism was an art style that began in France in the 1870s. American painters started using this style later in the 1800s. Famous Impressionist painters include Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Auguste Renoir.
An Impressionist painting often uses small, quick brushstrokes and bright colors. If you stand far away, the painting looks clear. But up close, it might look like blurry patches of color. This style tries to capture a quick "impression" of a scene.
Who Were The Ten?
The artists who first formed The Ten were Frank W. Benson, Joseph Rodefer DeCamp, Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Childe Hassam, Willard Leroy Metcalf, Robert Reid, Edward Simmons, Edmund C. Tarbell, John Henry Twachtman, and J. Alden Weir. All of them had been members of the Society of American Artists.
Winslow Homer was asked to join but said no. Abbott Handerson Thayer agreed to join but left before the first art show. After John H. Twachtman passed away in 1902, William Merritt Chase took his place. To add a new member, everyone in the group had to agree. They also decided there would always be at least ten active members for the group to continue.
For twenty years, The Ten showed their art in New York, Boston, and other American cities. The group eventually ended because some members passed away. Also, public interest in their shows slowly faded.
See also
In Spanish: The Ten American Painters para niños
