Henri was born Robert Henry Cozad on June 24, 1865, in Cincinnati.  In 1885 he enrolled in The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and studied under Thomas Anchutz.  In 1888 Henri made his first trip to Europe and enrolled at the Academie Julian in Paris. After three years in Europe traveling, painting, and sketching, Henri returned to Philadelphia.  He soon joined the faculty of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women where his gift for teaching was revealed.

John Sloan and Henri met in 1892.  It was through Sloan that Henri became acquainted with William Glackens, Everett Shinn, and George Luks (at that time all illustrators for "Philadelphia Press".)  Returning to Europe in 1895 with Glackens and William D. Redfield, Henri "discovered" Frans Hals and studied his works extensively.  He operated an art school in Paris and had his paintings accepted in the Salon.  In 1899 Henri moved to New York to paint and soon to teach at the New York School of Art.  During this period "The Eight", also known as the Ashcan School, was formed.  Although diverse in their painting styles, the artists were dedicated to common ideals; the validity of everyday life as subject matter for fine art, and above all, an artist's freedom of expression.  Their famous exhibition of 1908 opened the eyes of the American public to painting of real people and real places.

As a teacher of art, Henri had few equals.  He had a strong character and was a powerful influence on the artistic approach of many artists.  He believed artistic expression was vital--that technique is important but should never be an end in itself.  He died in New York City of cancer on July 12, 1929.

Studied

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia with Thomas Anshutz, James B. Kelly, Thomas Hovenden (1886-1888) and with Robert Vonnah (1891); Academie Julian, Paris, with William Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury (1888-1891); Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris; Spain and Italy.

Member

Society of American Artists (1903); Associate (1904) and Academician (1906), National Academy; National Institute of Arts & Letters; Portrait Painters; National Arts Club; Los Angeles Modern Art Society; Boston Art Club; New Society of Artists; The Eight (1908); American Painters & Sculptors, Paris; Society of Independent Artists (1916); Taos Society of Artists.

Awards

Universal Exposition, St. Louis (silver, 1904); Harris medal, Art Institute of Chicago (1905); Art Club, Philadelphia (1909); Beck Gold Medal, PAFA (1914); Pan-Pacific Exposition (silver, 1915); Wilmington Society of Fine Arts (silver, 1920).

Exhibitions

PAFA (1897); Macbeth Galleries, NYC (1902, 1924); Pratt Institute (1902); PAFA (1908); Art Institute of Chicago (1908); John Herron Art Institute, IND (1915); Cincinnati Museum Association (1915); Syracuse Museum (1916); Buffalo F.A. Academy (1919); Detroit Museum of Art (1919)International F.A. Exposition (1910); Metropolitan Museum of Art (1931, memorial); Robert Vose Galleries, Boston (1940); Chapellier Galleries, NYC (1976) and more.

Resources

Askart.com; Who’s Who