Artist Biography
Born in New York City in 1901, Philip Evergood would go on to become one of the foremost social realist and modernist painters of the 20th century. He was raised in his mother’s native England and educated at Eton College, followed by a brief stint at the University of Cambridge. Embracing his desire to paint, Evergood studied art at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Académie Julian in Paris, and, finally, at the Art Students League in New York City, where he studied under leading Ashcan artist George Luks. During his European studies, Evergood was struck by the
Born in New York City in 1901, Philip Evergood would go on to become one of the foremost social realist and modernist painters of the 20th century. He was raised in his mother’s native England and educated at Eton College, followed by a brief stint at the University of Cambridge. Embracing his desire to paint, Evergood studied art at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Académie Julian in Paris, and, finally, at the Art Students League in New York City, where he studied under leading Ashcan artist George Luks. During his European studies, Evergood was struck by the work of El Greco, an artist of the Spanish Renaissance. Evergood and his wife Julia eventually settled in his native Manhattan. Evergood’s style can be characterized by wraithlike figures, pure applications of pigment, and sociopolitical commentary. During the 1930s, Evergood served as president of the New York Artist’s Union, as well as a muralist for the Works Progress Administration. He taught at various institutions throughout the 1940s until 1952, when he moved to Connecticut, remaining there until his death in 1973. His work is now found in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Columbus Museum of Art, and Whitney Museum of American Art.
Born in New York City in 1901, Philip Evergood would go on to become one of the foremost social realist and modernist painters of the 20th century. He was raised in his mother’s native England and educated at Eton College, followed by a brief stint at the University of Cambridge. Embracing his desire to paint, Evergood studied art at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Académie Julian in Paris, and, finally, at the Art Students League in New York City, where he studied under leading Ashcan artist George Luks. During his European studies, Evergood was struck by the work of El Greco, an artist of the Spanish Renaissance. Evergood and his wife Julia eventually settled in his native Manhattan. Evergood’s style can be characterized by wraithlike figures, pure applications of pigment, and sociopolitical commentary. During the 1930s, Evergood served as president of the New York Artist’s Union, as well as a muralist for the Works Progress Administration. He taught at various institutions throughout the 1940s until 1952, when he moved to Connecticut, remaining there until his death in 1973. His work is now found in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Columbus Museum of Art, and Whitney Museum of American Art.
