Election Night Bonfire

Maker Glenn O. Coleman (1887 - 1932)

ClassificationsPRINTS

Date1928

Mediumlithograph

Dimensionsimage: 12 1/4 x 17 in. (31.1 x 43.2 cm.) sheet: 15 3/8 x 20 1/2 in. (39.1 x 52.1 cm.)

SignedSigned in lower center of image: Glenn O. Coleman Signed in lower right of recto in graphite: Glenn O. Coleman

InscribedSigned in lower center of image: Glenn O. Coleman Signed in lower right of recto in graphite: Glenn O. Coleman Inscribed in lower right of recto in graphite: 8 [circled] Inscribed in lower center of recto in graphite: Election Night Bonfire Inscribed in lower right of recto in graphite: '43-56-3 [strikethrough] Watermark in lower left of recto: France

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of Hannah S. Kully

Label TextColeman studied art with Robert Henri, who encouraged students to experience life and depict the reality they observed. Henri advised, "It takes more than love of art to see character and meaning and even beauty in a crowd of east side children tagging after a street piano or hanging over garbage cans. There must be a knowledge of human nature, human motives, and, above all, sympathy."

Coleman depicted the tradition of building bonfires on the night of an election. While the scene suggests boisterous, even dangerous, activity, it seems calm and orderly compared to Sloan's version of a bonfire (on view to the right). Here the boys' feet are planted on the ground, there is a circle organized around the fire, and adults condone the behavior by blowing horns and standing nearby.

Status

Not on view

Object number2013.17.12