Who painted Catharine?

Catharine was painted by Robert Henri in 1913.

Where can I see Catharine?

Catharine is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Catharine?

Catharine is associated with Fauvism.

Can I buy a print of Catharine?

Museum-quality prints of Catharine are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Catharine by Robert Henri (1913) · Meaning, Museum & Prints

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right: Robert Henri; upper left of canvas reverse: Robert Henri; upper right of canvas reverse: 266 / H; across top horizontal stretcher bar reverse: CATHERINE [sic]

About this work

Technique & Style

As a portrait, the work reflects Henri's focus on clear likeness and restrained color palette typical of his early 20th-century work.

Catharine is an oil painting on canvas measuring approximately 61 by 51 centimetres. The portrait depicts a woman with dark hair and eyes, wearing a grey dress and a blue tie before a dark, variegated background. The dark background contrasts with the lighter grey dress and blue tie, drawing attention to the sitter's face and attire.

As a portrait, the work reflects Henri's focus on clear likeness and restrained color palette typical of his early 20th-century work.

History & Provenance

Robert Henri completed the oil portrait Catharine in the summer of 1913 while on Achill Island. Macbeth Gallery in New York acquired the work directly from the artist and, in November 1913, sold it to collector William J. Johnson of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Johnson retained the piece, which later passed by inheritance to his son Oscar Doyle Johnson.

In 1948 the painting was gifted to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it remains in the permanent collection under accession number 1948.1.1. The transaction details are recorded in Henri's ledger and corroborated by gallery records.

Overview

Robert Henri's 1913 oil on canvas, Catharine, presents a portrait characterized by its vibrant palette and direct gaze. This work exemplifies Henri's exploration of modernist principles, moving beyond traditional academic styles. As an American painter and influential educator, Henri's artistic journey encompassed various movements, with this piece reflecting his engagement with expressive color and form.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a young individual, Catharine, with dark, curly hair, dressed in a white jacket and a blue scarf. Her rosy cheeks and direct gaze engage the viewer, imbuing the subject with a sense of immediacy and presence. Henri often focused on capturing the individuality and character of his sitters, presenting them without idealization.

Context

Painted during a period of significant artistic shifts, Catharine reflects Robert Henri's broader trajectory. After training in Paris and initially engaging with Impressionism, Henri rejected academic conventions, becoming a central figure in the Ashcan School, known for its unvarnished portrayals of urban life. This portrait showcases his ongoing experimentation with modernist techniques and a departure from conventional representation.