"Somber depictions of working-class life in early twentieth-century New York are the images most often associated with the Ashcan school of artists - the circle around Robert Henri, notably those who participated with him in the seminal exhibition "The Eight" in 1908." "These artists' gritty portrayals of urban life are not, however, representative of the entire spectrum of Ashcan art. Featuring some of the circle's most vibrant and outstanding works, Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 demonstrates unequivocally the zeal with which these artists embraced the world of play enjoyed by all levels of society. Spirited scenes of diverse leisure activities in cafes, bars, and parks, at the theatre and at sporting events, on the beach, and in the countryside are complemented by lively essays on the world of leisure experienced and depicted by the Ashcan school, providing a fresh exploration of this major American artistic movement."--Jacket.