What was the primary focus of the Ashcan School?

The primary focus of the Ashcan School was indeed a portrayal of urban life in an unidealized fashion. This group of artists, active in the early 20th century, sought to capture the realities of life in the bustling cities of America, particularly New York. They depicted everyday scenes of ordinary people in their environments, emphasizing aspects of society that were often overlooked or marginalized. The unidealized approach reflected their commitment to authenticity and oftentimes addressed social issues such as poverty and working-class struggles.

In contrast, promoting abstract art is not aligned with the Ashcan School's realist perspectives. Similarly, the depiction of rural landscapes and nature does not relate to their urban focus, which was distinctively different from the picturesque or idyllic representations found in other art movements. The creation of idealized portraits of the wealthy aligns more with academic or conventional art practices of the time rather than the Ashcan School's commitment to realism and social commentary.