The Model, Second Stone

Art Historical Context

**The Model, Second Stone is a striking graphic arts print by George Bellows, influential American artist of the early 20th. Capturing a full-length nude figure this work exemplifies Bellows' bold exploration of the human form, rendered with his characteristic directness and vitality. Housed in the Smithsonian American Museum through the bequest of Frank McClure it reflects the artist's shift toward more intimate, modernist subjects later in his career, following his fame for gritty urban scenes and boxing matches. Bellows, associated with the Ashcan School's realist movement, mastered lithography—a printmaking technique using stones to transfer intricate details and tones. The "Second Stone" in the title likely refers to a progressive state in the lithographic process, showcasing refinements in line, shading, and composition. This medium was revolutionary for its time, allowing artists like Bellows to produce affordable editions that brought high art to broader audiences. In the context of early 20th-century American art, such nudes challenged conventions, blending European influences with a raw, unidealized American gaze. Visitors will appreciate how Bellows' print invites contemplation of vulnerability and strength, making **The Model, Second Stone** a poignant highlight of graphic innovation. (198 words)

About the Artist

George Bellows · 1882–1925

George Wesley Bellows was born on August 12, 1882, in Columbus, Ohio, the only child of building contractor George Bellows Sr. and Anna Smith Bellows, with an older half-sister, Laura. A talented athlete who excelled in baseball and basketball at Ohio State University from 1901 to 1904, Bellows illustrated for the school yearbook before rejecting a professional baseball contract to pursue art. In ...