51

ROBERT HENRI

American, 1865-1929

Patience (Laughing Youngster), 1915

oil on canvas
signed lower left "Robert Henri"; signed, titled, and inscribed on the reverse "26/J / Robert Henri / "Laughing Youngster"
24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm.), Frame: 32 3/4 x 28 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (83.2 x 72.4 x 5.7 cm.)

  • Provenance: Edward Cole Jones, Jr., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; Mrs. Edward Cole Jones (his widow), 1983-1998; by descent to Private Collection, Wisconsin; Christie's, New York, New York, November 30, 2006, lot 43; Private Collection, New York

    Exhibitions: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, "Wisconsin Collects", September 11 - November 1, 1987.
  • Literature: Valerie A. Leeds, "'My People: The Portraits of Robert Henri", (Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press, 1994), p. 34.
  • Notes: "If you paint children, you must have no patronizing attitude toward them. Whoever approaches a child without humility, without wonderment, and without infinite respect, misses in his judgment of what is before him...Paint with respect for...He is the great possibility, the independent individual."– Robert Henri Robert Henri, an influential teacher and prominent leader of the Ashcan School, is best remembered for his spirited portraits of children. In the present work, Henri depicts a young gypsy girl, Patience, in his classic style: a portrait of a child shown three-quarter length and painted in dashing strokes of color. Henri's portraits were not from costly commissions. Instead, he chose his sitters based on their vitality and character. "At home in New York City and especially on his various travels in the United States and trips to Europe, he would seek out ‘types,' individuals previously unknown to him whom he would ask to pose for a portrait. These were non-commercial efforts executed simply because the character of the subject attracted him. He began to call these ‘My People,' sitters who represented a cross-section of races and cultures...As he said, he liked to paint ‘My People,' ‘whoever they may be, wherever they may exist, the people through whom dignity of life is manifest, that is, who are in some way expressing themselves naturally along the lines Nature intended for them'" (Leeds, "My People: The Portraits of Robert Henri", 1994, p. 13). In the summer of 1915, Henri and his wife, Linda, accompanied George and Emma Bellows to Ogunquit, Maine. Henri described Ogunquit as, "a sort of straggling village made up of quiet-seeking respectables and natives and a considerable artist's colony..." Regarding the models, "there were plenty of children ready to earn the money, but they were...not inspiring..." (as quoted in B.B. Perlman, Robert Henri: His Life and Art, New York, 1991, p. 118) By August, Henri changed his opinion after finding a settlement of gypsies who served as models, including the present sitter, Patience. Henri wrote, "It appears that after all our coming here will prove a rather good thing for I already have a few things that are very good. Particularly of a gypsy child laughing--I think it is one of my very best in this type of work" (Leeds, p. 34). Henri's works from 1915 were most likely influenced by his exposure to the European Fauves and Expressionists at the 1913 Armory Show, which inspired him to push his technique further. Henri's experimentation with unusual and vivid palettes and color combinations reached a climax in the Ogunquit portraits, particularly in the more than twenty canvases of Maine gypsies with the similarly vibrant background colors (Leeds, p. 34). Utilizing vigorous brushwork and saturated colors in reds and greens, Henri, in "Patience", is able to distill the essence of the young gypsy girl.
  • Condition: in very good overall condition; strip-lined canvas; slight crazing; very minor scattered restoration visible under UV; additional photos available upon request

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
    NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

As a convenience to the Buyer, Shannon's LLC will make a referral for packing and shipping. For a preliminary quote you may contact Jeff Von Flatern at [email protected] or 203-453-8866, Phil Buyse at [email protected] or (860) 561-1369, or Kristen Vineyard at Village Express 203-481-7426.

Shipping is at the request, expense, and risk of the Buyer, and Shannon's assumes no responsibility for the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in transit items is the responsibility of the buyer.

May 8, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
Milford, CT, US

Shannon's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000