Chicago Artist Colonies, by Keith M. Stolte, does a great job of reviewing Chicago’s art culture in the nineteenth century, the effect on it by the World’s Columbian Exposition, and the better known (at the time) artists, both local and those who had moved from elsewhere.

Short and easy read, highly recommended.

The book, The Friedman Collection: Artists of Chicago, with its well-written essay and beautiful reproductions of the art, will disabuse you of the notion that Chicago artists are second to anyone.