George Bellows

Last Sunday I fitted in an early morning visit to the George Bellows 'Modern American Life' exhibition at the RA. The artist is regarded as one of the giants of American art and is best known for his paintings of New York's gritty urban landscape in the early 20th century. His depictions of the 'bums and boxers' on the streets of the Lower East Side brilliantly capture the tough, rough excitement of the modernisation of the city. A must-see exhibition and perfect way to enjoy a Sunday morning