At Mouquin's

About this artwork

William J. Glackens' *At Mouquin's* (1905), an oil on canvas measuring 122.4 × 92.1 cm, a vibrant slice of early 20th-century New York life. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department Arts of the Americas, substantial painting evokes the bustling atmosphere of Mouquin's, a famed French restaurant in Greenwich Village among artists and bohemi. Glackens, key figure in American Realism and the Ashcan School used the medium's rich textures and bold colors to render intimate interior scenes with everyday vitality. Painted during a transformative era in American art, just before the landmark Armory Show of 1913, *At Mouquin's* reflects the Ashcan artists' commitment to depicting urban realism over idealized subjects. Glackens' loose brushwork and warm lighting highlight figures in casual revelry, blending impressionistic influences with a gritty, unvarnished gaze at city dwellers—likely including fellow artist John Sloan and his wife. This work's cultural significance lies in its snapshot of pre-World War I bohemian New York, showcasing Glackens' skill in transforming ordinary moments into lively narratives. A testament to the era's artistic rebellion, it invites visitors to linger over the humanity in its details.