β˜… Robert Henri ~ The Art Spirit β˜…

From Robert Henri's, The Art Spirit . "A good painting is a remarkable feat of organization," "hold to this principle that the greatest drawing, the greatest expression, the greatest completion, the sense of all contained, lies in what can be done through the larger masses and the larger gestures. If we build a painting successfully, the most important work is in the beginning and it does not allow us to fiddle with detail or incidentals. The awareness and energy of the work carries through to the finish with," (and I love this one), "every line, area, tone, value, texture, in fact every effect produced in any way, including even the pressure of the brush, should be considered a compositional or constructive element."

"If the artist's will is not strong he will see all kinds of unessential things."
~ Robert Henri

Robert Henri, (pronounced "hen rye"), was born in 1865 and named Robert Henry Cozad in Cincinnati, Ohio to Theresa Gatewood and John Jackson Cozad, a gambler and real estate developer. Henri had one brother and was a distant cousin of the noted American painter Mary Cassatt. In 1873, the family moved to Nebraska. In1882, Henri's father shot and killed another man over a disputed land deal. The family moved to Colorado where Robert and other family members changed their names. In 1883, the family moved to New York City, then on to Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In 1886, Henri enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied under Thomas Anshutz. In 1888, he traveled to Paris to study and enthusiastically embraced Impressionism.

By the end of 1891, he returned to Philadelphia, studying under Robert Vonnoh at the Academy. In 1892, he began teaching at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. Sarah Worthington Peter founded the Philadelphia School of Design for Women in 1848. The College later became Moore College of Art (where I got my BFA in Illustration).

In Philadelphia, followers met in his studio to discuss art and culture, including several illustrators for the Philadelphia Press newspaper who later become known as the "Philadelphia Four", Glackens, Luks, Shinn, and Sloan. The gatherings became known as the "Charcoal Club", featuring life drawing and readings in the social philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau.

For several years, he divided his time between Philadelphia and Paris. In 1898 he married Linda Craige, a student from his private art class. The couple spent the next two years on an extended honeymoon in France.

Henri began teaching at the New York School of Art in 1902, where his students included the well known American artist, Edward Hopper. In 1905, Henri's wife Linda died after a long illness. Henri remarried a few years later.

In 1906, he was elected to the National Academy of Design. Henri resigned when painters in his circle were rejected for the 1907 exhibition. He would later refer to the Academy as "a cemetery of art." Robert later organized several large shows in New York for independent artists .

Henri taught at the Art Students League of New York from 1915- 1927. His notes containing his ideas on art were collected from his niece, Mary Rogers, by former art student, Margery Ryerson. These were published as "The Art Spirit" in Philadelphia, 1923.

In 1929, Henri was chosen as one of the top three living American artists by the Arts Council of New York. Henri died of cancer later that year. He was honored with a memorial exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1931.

This biography information was gathered from Wikipedia. The images were found on Wikimedia Commons and are in the public domain.

HENRI AND TWO OF "THE PHILADELPHIA FOUR"

Photographer unknown. Photo annotated at bottom with names of artists. Henri, Robert, 1865-1929 Shinn, Everett, 1876-1953 Sloan, John, 1871-1951

"There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom." ~ Robert Henri

"It takes wit, interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and alive. It is the greatest feat man has to accomplish, and spirits must flow." ~ Robert Henri

"Life is finding yourself. It is a spirit development." ~ Robert Henri

"Do whatever you do intensely." ~ Robert Henri

" Her long legs thrust out with strutting sexual arrogance, and glint through the over-brushed back veil. It has far more oomph than hundreds of virginal, genteel muses, painted by American academics. He has given it urgency with slashing brush marks and strong tonal contrasts. He's learned from Winslow Homer, from Γ‰douard Manet, and from the vulgarity of Frans Hals." ~ Critic Robert Hughes, 1909

"When we respect the nude, we will no longer have any shame about it." ~ Robert Henri