Society for Sanity in Art
Encyclopedia
The Society for Sanity in Art was an American
artist's society whose members strongly opposed all forms of modern art
, including cubism
, surrealism
, and abstract expressionism
. It was founded in Chicago
in 1936 by Josephine Hancock Logan, and from there it spread all over the country, with major branches in Boston
and San Francisco. Ms. Logan also published a book entitled Sanity in Art in 1937. Haig Patigian
served as president of the group in the 1940s. Margaret Fitzhugh Browne
founded the Boston branch of the organization, and led it in protesting a 1940 exhibit of paintings by Picasso at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
. A western branch of the Society changed its name to the Society of Western Artists
in 1939, and remains to this day the largest society of representational artists in the western United States. The San Francisco branch of The Society for Sanity in the Arts sponsored an annual art exhibit-for-sale by its members at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor at least as late as 1945.
The Society gave out awards to artists who met its standards of "sanity"; these awards included the Logan Medal of the arts
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist's society whose members strongly opposed all forms of modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
, including cubism
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
, surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, and abstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism was an American post–World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris...
. It was founded in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1936 by Josephine Hancock Logan, and from there it spread all over the country, with major branches in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and San Francisco. Ms. Logan also published a book entitled Sanity in Art in 1937. Haig Patigian
Haig Patigian
Haig Patigian was an Armenian-American sculptor born on January 22, 1876 in the city of Van, Armenia, in the Ottoman Empire and died on September 19, 1950 in San Francisco, California. His parents were teachers at the American Mission School in Armenia...
served as president of the group in the 1940s. Margaret Fitzhugh Browne
Margaret Fitzhugh Browne
Margaret Fitzhugh Browne , was a painter of portraits, indoor genre scenes, and still lifes, although portraits dominated her output.-Family:...
founded the Boston branch of the organization, and led it in protesting a 1940 exhibit of paintings by Picasso at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest museums in the United States, attracting over one million visitors a year. It contains over 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas...
. A western branch of the Society changed its name to the Society of Western Artists
Society of Western Artists
The Society of Western Artists refers to two distinct and wholly unrelated organizations in the history of American art:*Society of Western Artists *Society of Western Artists...
in 1939, and remains to this day the largest society of representational artists in the western United States. The San Francisco branch of The Society for Sanity in the Arts sponsored an annual art exhibit-for-sale by its members at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor at least as late as 1945.
The Society gave out awards to artists who met its standards of "sanity"; these awards included the Logan Medal of the arts
Logan Medal of the arts
The Logan Medal of the Arts was an arts prize initiated in 1907 and associated with the Art Institute of Chicago. From 1917 through 1940, 270 awards were given....
.