own independent exhibition, marketing it as an American Salon des Refusés. In February 1908 eight painters showcased their work at the Macbeth Galleries. The Eight, as critic James Huneker baptized them, included Henri, Sloan, Glackens, Luks, and Shinn-the Philadelphia Five-and three others, stylistically different but equally determined to crack open NAD's restrictive practices: symbolist Arthur B. Davies {who was well wired into wealthy New York collector circles}, Impressionist/realist Ernest Lawson, and Postimpressionist Maurice Prendergast. {Davies and Lawson had been among the blackballed in 1907.}
In February 1908, a notable exhibition took place at the Macbeth Galleries, featuring eight artists who sought to challenge the conventional artistic standards of their time. Known as "The Eight," this group included prominent figures such as Henri, Sloan, Glackens, Luks, and Shinn, collectively dubbed the Philadelphia Five, along with three other diverse artists. They aimed to reflect their desire for creative freedom and expression, which was hindered by the restrictive practices of the National Academy of Design.
The exhibition was marketed as an American version of the Salon des Refusés, attracting attention for its bold rejection of traditional aesthetics. Among the artists were Arthur B. Davies, closely connected to affluent art collectors, as well as other notable figures like Ernest Lawson and Maurice Prendergast, both of whom had faced exclusion from the previous year's exhibitions. Their diverse influences and techniques symbolized a shift in the art scene of New York City, pushing against the limitations imposed by established institutions.
