A Henri Portrait Newly Discovered

This week, it was brought to my attention that an intimate portrait of Linda, Henri’s first wife, will be auctioned soon. The painting was recently discovered in the summer home of the Craige family. This painting is classic early Henri- a deep dark background, mostly black, with low chroma reds and yellows in the flesh tones. It is very much like a Frans Hals portrait- a sensitive portrayal of a ‘vital aliveness’– expressing a deep human connection between souls set within an understated color harmony. Here, we see Henri in conversation with Linda—her attentive stare. The corner of her mouth is smiling. She had recently been fitted with glasses because of acute astigmatism (see Bernard Perlman, Robert Henri, His Life and Art, p. 49), and maybe she wanted to challenge Henri to paint her in them. Linda was an artist as well and enjoyed painting side-by-side with Henri. This bond drew them together: Henri, the dynamic teacher, and Linda, a former devoted student.

Sloan’s image of Henri, Linda, Dolly, and himself typifies their bonds of friendship. Linda often read to the intimate group in the evenings. Sloan and Dolly adored Linda, expressed in Sloan’s letters and diary and through this beautiful rendering, where Linda occupies the center of the composition.

January 14- Started sketch for etching- memory of the evenings of last year at Henri’s, when about the old table from the ‘Charcoal Club’ and 806 Walnut Street, would gather Mrs. Henri (just died from us), Henri, Dolly (my wife) and myself. Mrs. Henri reading aloud.

John Sloan’s New York Scene 1906-1913, p.6

Sloan frequently referred to this etching as the “Family Group” because Linda’s presence exuded such tranquility.

January 17- Today proved the “Family” etched plate. Henri came in at 5:30 and liked the memory of Mrs. Henri and thinks the plate is a good one. I can improve the portrait of Dolly in it. And hope that the plate will go on and be one of the important ones.

Ibid., p. 7.

Henri certainly painted family members, his father and mother, and his brother, Frank Southrn. But Linda dwelt in the center of Henri’s heart. Linda frequently acted as a model for Henri and appeared in such compositions as “Lady in Black.” But this new image of Linda is much more personal and intimate. It was not painted for any exhibition and remained in the personal estate of the Craige family as a remembrance of Linda.

I have included the back of the painting to show Henri’s method of coding his paintings (120 A). This was painted shortly after Henri began keeping detailed records of his images. There appears to be much water damage, and I am curious to see how this has affected the painted surface. Hopefully, this painting will find a home in a museum. It reveals so much about Henri at the beginning of his artistic journey before his color investigations and his profound influence on the American art scene. But more importantly, he painted this to express his deep love for his partner and friend.

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Auction Details
The portrait will be a highlight of Winfield Auction Gallery’s upcoming sale, scheduled for March 15, 2025. Pre-sale viewing will be held, allowing collectors and the public a rare opportunity to view this hidden gem before it finds its new home.

For further information, high-resolution images, or press inquiries, please contact:

Winfield Auction Gallery, New York

Email: wags.auctions@gmail.com

Web: www.winfieldauctiongallery.com