Philadelphia-born Arthur B. Carles was an important American modernist whose paintings and classes helped introduce American artists to European modern styles. Carles was born in Philadelphia and educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he studied with Thomas Anshutz, Hugh Breckenridge, and Cecilia Beaux. In 1907 he traveled to France where he stayed until 1910, absorbing the work of the post-impressionist painters Cézanne and Matisse. He was good friends with John Marin and Edward Steichen and displayed work at the Salon d'Automne in 1908. His work was exhibited by Alfred Stieglitz at 291 in 1910 and 1912 and at the Armory Show in 1913. He returned to Philadelphia to teach at the Academy from 1917 through 1925. His most famous paintings are marked by intense color and expressionist handling.
