Copley Square 

George Luks painted this view of Copley Square, in Boston, with oil on canvas. The painting captures a bustling urban scene at night, reflecting the social and cultural dynamism of early 20th-century America. Luks was associated with the Ashcan School, a group of artists who sought to depict everyday life, particularly in working-class neighborhoods. His choice of subject matter aligns with the Ashcan School's focus on representing the realities of urban life, diverging from traditional academic art that often idealized its subjects. Consider the time in which it was made. Rapid industrialization and urbanization shaped American society, leading to significant social changes and challenges. The painting reflects the energy and vibrancy of city life but also hints at the social complexities of the time. To understand this work fully, a historian might research the Ashcan School's artistic and social agenda, exploring the cultural context of early 20th-century America.