Robert Henri

Robert Henri (1865 – 1929), born Robert Henry Cozad, was an American painter and art educator best remembered today for his influence on the development of American Impressionism and modern art. An early leader of the Ashcan School, Henri was an important figure in the transition from late 19th-century realism to a more modern style characterized by bold brushwork and a taste for adventure.

Henri was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1865 to a wealthy family. His mother was an accomplished pianist, while his father was a successful merchant. As a child, Henri showed an aptitude for the arts, and he enrolled in art classes at the Cincinnati Art Museum. He soon came to the attention of William Merritt Chase, one of the leading figures of the Ashcan School of painters. Chase took Henri on as a student, and under his tutelage, he developed his technique and individualistic style.

In 1895, Henri, together with Chase and other artists, founded the Society of Independent Artists, dedicated to exhibiting the art of America’s lower classes. The group was a precursor to the modern-day art gallery, and it helped to bring the work of emerging American painters to the world’s attention.

Robert Henri saw painting as a means of communicating emotion and conveying psychological states. His work often featured vivid color and energetic brush strokes. He was an advocate of painting from life and encouraged his students to embrace their own observation of the world around them, rather than relying on photographic sources or reproduced images.

In addition to his artistic career, Henri was a noted teacher and art critic. He taught at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women for many years, and in 1916, he founded the Henri School of Art in New York City. Henri had a profound influence on his students, who included some of the most influential American painters of the 20th century, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Rockwell Kent.

Henri was known for his outspoken social views, which touched on topics ranging from women’s rights to child labor. He wrote several books, including the influential The Art Spirit, which outlined his ideas about painting and art criticism.

Robert Henri passed away in 1929 and was buried in Rockport, Massachusetts. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering modern artist who helped to bridge the gap between American realism and Impressionism. His artworks are found in some of the world’s most prestigious art collections, and his influence can be seen throughout American art.