George Copeland Ault (1891 - 1948) American Pencil and Watercolor on Paper Measure 11"in H x 7 1/2"in W and 17"in H x 13 1/2"in W with frame. Known for: Precisionist architectural views and still-life painting George Copeland Ault was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1891 and at age eight, moved to London, England where his family opened a printing shop and introduced American inks and printing techniques to London. It is during this time that Ault received training at the Slade School of Art and St. John's Wood School of Art before returning to America in 1911. Although Ault is often grouped with the Precisionist movement, he did not follow in their pattern of idealizing modern life. Instead, Ault's art is a combination of Cubism, Surrealism, and American folk art that accurately portrays the American scene. In addition, his style shows an influence of European Modernism because of the underlying geometry. The 1920s were an emotionally turbulent time in the life of Ault: his parents' deaths and suicides of three of his brothers contributed to his reclusive behavior. In 1937, Ault moved to Woodstock, New York hoping to make a new start. This move failed and he became even more depressed, leading to his suicide in 1948.