Portrait Artist Forum - Robert Henri

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- - Robert Henri (http://portraitartistforum.com/showthread.php?t=1658)

After browsing through a great part of it, I had pretty much decided that I had not much need or inspiration to buy the Nov. 2002 issue of The Magazine Antiques. Then I came across an ad Mitchell Brown Fine Art, Inc., featuring a Portrait of "Mrs. Haseltine", by Robert Henri. I have been long familiar with his work and role as artist, teacher, and writer but had never seen this painting (attached). It is an oil on canvas 28" x 34" and is now one of my Henri favorites. (It has edged out his portrait of the young boy smoking a cigar.)

It's likely that a lot is lost in the darks.

And, a close up of the head.

Robert Henri's Alias and Other Facts

I've always loved Henri's work and teachings and have read "The Art Spirit" a zillion times over. The guy lived and breathed art. I just read a great book about him and found out many things about his life and art that I didn't know and though I'd share.

Did you know?

- His father changed his name when he was young from Robert Henry Cozad to Robert Henri to protect him and his family.
- His father was a great gambler and businessman and was wanted for murder and running from the law.
- He was a sixth cousin of Mary Cassatt.
- He was not fond of William Merritt Chase and his views on art.
- He was trained in Paris by Bouguereau.
- He founded the Charcoal Club in Baltimore.
- He taught many successful artists like Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent.
- His sister-in-law, being granted his paintings after his second wife's death, destroyed and burned many of his artworks right in his own studio!!

Just a few things that I find fascinating about this artist. Neat to make those connections and see how everything fits together.

Enjoy!
Gene

I just attended a lecture at ASU where I learned Robert Henri was a teacher to a great number of women artists - many of whom were represented in an exhibition at BYU this last February. Here is an exerpt from the university press release. The entire article is extremely interesting. I wish I could have seen the exhibit.

[I]PROVO, Utah