Whoopee at Sloppy Jo's
George Biddle, American, 1885 - 1973
Geography:
Made in United States, North and Central America
Date:
1933Medium:
Oil on canvasDimensions:
40 1/2 × 40 3/8 inches (102.9 × 102.6 cm)Copyright:
© Estate of George BiddleCuratorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
1972-121-1Credit Line:
Gift of the artist, 1972
Made in United States, North and Central America
Date:
1933Medium:
Oil on canvasDimensions:
40 1/2 × 40 3/8 inches (102.9 × 102.6 cm)Copyright:
© Estate of George BiddleCuratorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1972-121-1Credit Line:
Gift of the artist, 1972
Label:
This painting takes a satirical look at high society life during Prohibition. George Biddle's sharp eye precisely captures the inhabitants of this decadent milieu, which include sad-eyed, seen-everything bartenders; a predatory lothario with his nervous female prey; aging gentlemen with rouge cheeks and red lips; and a sagging, dejected, lone drinker. In a brilliant touch, the artist structured the composition to emphasize the bend around the corner of the bar, creating a background of diagonal lines that makes everything look askew, perhaps simulating the perspective of an inebriated occupant of Sloppy Joe's.
This painting takes a satirical look at high society life during Prohibition. George Biddle's sharp eye precisely captures the inhabitants of this decadent milieu, which include sad-eyed, seen-everything bartenders; a predatory lothario with his nervous female prey; aging gentlemen with rouge cheeks and red lips; and a sagging, dejected, lone drinker. In a brilliant touch, the artist structured the composition to emphasize the bend around the corner of the bar, creating a background of diagonal lines that makes everything look askew, perhaps simulating the perspective of an inebriated occupant of Sloppy Joe's.