Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Interior

Stuart Davis

Name Class Date
Stuart Davis, Interior. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Stuart Davis allpaintingsstore.com/en/artists/stuart-davis/
Artist’s dates
1892 – 1964
Movement
Cubism Objects broken apart and shown from several viewpoints at once, all flattened onto one surface.
Notable elements
Geometric abstraction, Fragmented forms, Bold colors, Dynamic composition
Style
Abstract
Subject
Non-representational; form and structure

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Stuart Davis died in 1964; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2034. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

Interior — Stuart Davis Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Interior — Stuart Davis

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 72 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Stuart Davis (1892–1964) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1924 Main working years: 1924–1942 Late works: from 1942

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

  • Odol allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/
  • Rocks, Gloucester, 1915 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-rocks-gloucester-D4QFBD-en/
  • The Mellow Pad allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-the-mellow-pad-8LT7Z3-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/similar/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Steel Blue #5c7ba9

    Catalogued palette

    • #5C7BA9
    • #CF4412
    • #3B140C
    • #F4EBE3

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Metallics The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Steel Blue
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Stuart Davis over the last twelve months — 6 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 81.0%
    2. 2 Sweden 7.1%
    3. 3 United States of America 4.8%
    4. 4 Croatia 2.4%
    5. 5 South Korea 2.4%
    6. 6 Netherlands 2.4%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Stuart Davis

    1. 1 Visa 1 6.5%
    2. 2 Garage No. 1, 1917 4.3%
    3. 3 Study for ''Blips and Ifs'' 4.3%
    4. 4 Odol 2.2%
    5. 5 The Mellow Pad 2.2%
    6. 6 Impression of the New York World's Fair (mural study, Communications Building, World's Fair, Flushing, New York), 1938 2.2%
    7. 7 Waterfront Landscape, 1936 2.2%
    8. 8 Composition, 1935 2.2%
    9. 9 Hot Still-Scape for Six Colors. Seventh Avenue Style 2.2%
    10. 10 T View, 1951 2.2%
    11. 11 The Terminal, 1937 2.2%
    12. 12 Newark, 1910 2.2%
    13. 13 Int'l Surface No. 1, 1960 2.2%
    14. 14 Ana 2.2%
    15. 15 Gloucester Terraces 2.2%
    16. 16 Flying Carpet, 1942 2.2%
    17. 17 Studio interior 2.2%
    18. 18 Textile with Liquor and Prohibition Motifs 2.2%
    19. 19 Report from Rockport 2.2%
    20. — Interior this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 50.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 167 works by this artist, of which 42 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Interior — Stuart Davis Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Interior — Stuart Davis

    A Dynamic Vision of Modernity: Exploring Stuart Davis’s “Interior”

    Stuart Davis's “Interior” is a captivating example of American Modernism, pulsating with energy and reflecting the artist’s unique response to the burgeoning urban landscape and the rhythms of jazz. Created sometime during his prolific career (1892-1964), this work embodies Davis’s commitment to developing a distinctly American visual language, moving beyond European influences towards a bold, independent style.

    Deconstructing Space: Style & Technique

    The artwork is immediately striking for its geometric abstraction. Davis employs fragmented forms and flattened perspectives – hallmarks of both Cubism and Constructivism – but infuses them with a uniquely American sensibility.

    A vibrant palette dominates, anchored by the stark contrast between the white background, bold reds, blues, and greys, and punctuated by energetic black lines. The orange border further intensifies this visual impact.

    Davis’s technique is evident in the visible brushstrokes and layering of paint, creating a subtle texture that adds depth despite the overall flattened composition. This suggests an active process of building up form and color on the canvas, likely using oil paints as his primary medium.

    The arrangement isn't simply random; it’s carefully orchestrated into distinct zones – a tower-like structure in blue-grey, a dynamic red section with a vertical ‘sail’ or flag element, and a central area of interwoven geometric shapes. This zoning creates a sense of controlled chaos.

    Echoes of Jazz & the Machine Age: Context & Symbolism

    Davis was deeply influenced by jazz music, which he saw as embodying the spirit of modern America – improvisational, energetic, and uniquely its own. While “Interior” isn’t a direct representation of musical notes, the dynamic interplay of shapes and colors evokes the same sense of rhythm and syncopation found in jazz compositions.

    The architectural elements, particularly the stylized tower, could be interpreted as representing aspiration or the burgeoning skyscrapers of American cities. Davis frequently engaged with urban themes throughout his career.

    The ‘sail’ or flag-like form introduces a sense of movement and direction, perhaps symbolizing progress or the forward momentum of modern life.

    His early exposure to the Armory Show in 1913 was pivotal. While his initial works reflected the Ashcan School style, he quickly absorbed and transformed European avant-garde ideas into something distinctly American.

    Emotional Resonance & Lasting Impact

    “Interior” is not a tranquil scene; it’s charged with energy and tension. The fragmented forms and bold colors create a sense of dynamism, while the lack of traditional perspective can be slightly unsettling. This emotional complexity reflects the anxieties and excitements of a rapidly changing world.

    The artwork invites viewers to actively engage with its abstract language, prompting individual interpretations and fostering a personal connection.

    As a pioneering figure in American Modernism, Stuart Davis paved the way for subsequent generations of artists. His work continues to inspire those seeking to break free from convention and explore new forms of visual expression.

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Interior — Stuart Davis Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Stuart Davis

    Born in Philadelphia, United States of America

    Stuart Davis: A Pioneer of American Modernism

    Early Life and Training

    Born on December 7, 1892, in Philadelphia, Stuart Davis was immersed in an artistic environment from a young age. His father, Edward Wyatt Davis, served as the art editor for the Philadelphia Press, while his mother, Helen Stuart Davis, was a sculptor. This familial background undoubtedly fostered his early interest in visual arts.

    Davis received formal training at the Robert Henri School of Art in New York City from 1909 to 1912 under the guidance of Robert Henri. During this period, he formed lasting friendships with fellow painters John Sloan, Glenn Coleman, and Henry Glintenkamp.

    Early Career and the Armory Show

    Davis quickly gained recognition as one of the youngest exhibitors at the pivotal Armory Show in 1913. He presented five watercolor paintings that reflected the style of the Ashcan School, marking an early step in his artistic journey.

    Artistic Development and Style

    Throughout the 1920s, Davis developed his distinctive mature style. He began creating abstract still lifes and landscapes characterized by a proto-pop art element, incorporating contemporary subject matter like cigarette packages and spark plug advertisements into his compositions.

    His work is known for its bold, brash, and colorful nature. Davis’s artistic expression was profoundly influenced by his love of jazz music, which became increasingly evident in his paintings from the 1940s and 1950s. The Ashcan School movement also played a crucial role in shaping his early aesthetic sensibilities.

    Influences and Inspirations

    Robert Henri: Provided foundational training and encouraged direct observation of life.

    Ashcan School: Influenced his initial focus on urban realism and everyday subjects.

    Cubism: Inspired his exploration of abstract forms and fragmented perspectives.

    Jazz Music: Contributed to the rhythmic energy and improvisational quality of his paintings.

    Notable Works

    Odol (Modernism), completed in 1928, stands as a prime example of Davis’s unique style. This painting exemplifies his ability to blend abstract forms with recognizable imagery from popular culture.

    Other significant works include Rocks, Gloucester (1915), The Mellow Pad, and Tropes de Teens (1956).

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Stuart Davis’s contributions to American Modernism are undeniable. He paved the way for future generations of artists by challenging traditional artistic conventions and embracing contemporary themes.

    As a pioneer in abstract art, he helped establish a distinctly American voice within the broader context of modern art history. His work continues to inspire and influence artists today, solidifying his place as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Interior

    allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/download/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Davis, Stuart. Interior. n.d., https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/
    APA
    Davis, Stuart (n.d.). Interior [Painting]. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/
    Chicago
    Stuart Davis. Interior. n.d. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/
    Harvard
    Davis, Stuart (n.d.) Interior. Available at: https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/stuart-davis-interior-8LT7WG-en/

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Interior — Stuart Davis Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Interior — Stuart Davis

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: abstract, geometric, modernism. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Odol, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Cubism: Objects broken apart and shown from several viewpoints at once, all flattened onto one surface. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Interior — Stuart Davis Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Interior — Stuart Davis

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. Which artistic movements heavily influenced Stuart Davis's 'Interior'?

      • A Renaissance and Baroque
      • B Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
      • C Cubism and Constructivism

    2. 2. The composition of 'Interior' is best described as:

      • A Realistic and detailed
      • B Harmonious and balanced
      • C Fragmented and dynamic

    3. 3. What is a prominent characteristic of the shapes used in 'Interior'?

      • A Organic and flowing
      • B Primarily representational forms
      • C Geometric, including rectangles and squares

    4. 4. Based on the description, what materials were likely used to create 'Interior'?

      • A Watercolor on paper
      • B Oil paints on canvas
      • C Acrylics on wood panel

    5. 5. The overall emotional effect of 'Interior' can be described as:

      • A Peaceful and serene
      • B Calm and contemplative
      • C Dynamic, tense, and slightly uneasy

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1C · 2C · 3C · 4B · 5C

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Interior — Stuart Davis Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    What is the format of "Interior"?

    "Interior" by Stuart Davis has a portrait format. The format describes the proportions of the composition.

    How is the color composition of "Interior" by Stuart Davis built?

    In "Interior", a statement contrast is paired with a strong color unity harmony.

    Is "Interior" by Stuart Davis in the public domain?

    "Interior" by Stuart Davis is still protected by copyright. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.