born Dec. 7, 1894, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.
died June 24, 1964, New York, N.Y.
U.S. abstract painter.
His father was a graphic artist who encouraged his interest in art. He studied in New York City with Robert Henri (190912), made drawings for the periodical The Masses , associated with the Ash Can school , and exhibited in the Armory Show . A visit to Paris in 192829 inspired his own version of Cubism ; he began rearranging natural forms from everyday life into flat posterlike patterns with sharp outlines and contrasting colours
the dissonant colours and repetitive rhythms reflecting his interest in jazz
in a style that eventually led to totally abstract patterns. He is considered the outstanding U.S. artist who worked in the Cubist style.