Today the Philadelphia Museum of Art will unveil eight paintings that have been donated by two pioneer American art collectors. The gift, which consists of eight paintings by the artist group known as “The Eight,” and one work by an artist outside the group will substantially strengthen the museum’s 20th century collection. Five of The Eight painters were known as Ashcan realists – artists who “took their subject matter from street life, which more academically inclined artists and critics found too coarse for fine art.” – Philadelphia Inquirer