1. Stuart Davis (1892 – 1964)
• Stuart Davis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
His father was the art editor of a Philadelphia newspaper.
He was surrounded by artists during his childhood.
He dropped out of high school to go to art school in New York.
For pronunciation of his name visit

2. • He painted this self-portrait in 1919. He was 27 years old.
• How do you feel when you look at this self-portrait?
How do you think he is feeling?

3. Note the loose and very visible brush strokes. Use of bright colors
Note the loose and very visible brush strokes. Use of bright colors. Kind of looks like Van Gogh …
Compare the self-portrait by Picasso on the left with the one by Stuart Davis on the right. Davis painted his self portrait 23 years after Picasso painted his. What differences do you notice?

4. The 1920s
Stuart Davis traveled to Europe and became interested in Cubism (like we studied in Picasso’s art).
He experimented with collage, but soon began painting copies of wallpaper in his art, instead of adding actual wallpaper like Picasso had done.

5. Davis was influenced by Picasso’s style.
Stuart Davis made European art American by using symbols from daily American life.
Davis was influenced by Picasso’s style.
How are they similar? How are they different?
Picasso
Stuart Davis

6. T he 1930s
During this period Davis began experimenting with other modern abstract styles.
The name of this painting is New York Waterfront.
What clues do you see that tell you this is New York? A waterfront view?

7. The 1940s
Stuart Davis became interested in showing American life in his art. He enjoyed jazz music and began painting “jazz.”

8. What do you think Stuart Davis meant when he said this?
“. . . I have always liked hot music. There's something wrong with any American who doesn't. But I never realized that it was influencing my work until one day I put on a favorite record and listened to it while I was looking at a painting I had just finished. Then I got a funny feeling. If I looked, or if I listened, there was no shifting of attention. It seemed to amount to the same thing--like twins, a kinship. After that, for a long time, I played records while I painted.”
What do you think Stuart Davis meant when he said this?

9. Do you see/feel the music?
What about these paintings is jazz-like?

10. T h e s
He began using words and letter-like shapes in his art.
His art takes on a poster-like appearance -- almost looking like advertising.
How do you feel when you look at these paintings? Do you like them? Why or why not?

11. The 1960s
Toward the end of his career, words and symbols dominated his art.
Can you read all of what he wrote in this painting?
Do you think it mattered to him if you could read it or not? Why or why not?
How do you feel when you look at this painting?

12. • What changes do you see in his style over time?
• Do you like his work? Why or why not?
• Which style is your favorite? Why?