DOI Heft:
No. 131 (February, 1904)
DOI Artikel:Bate, Percy: The work of George Henry, R. S. A.: a review and an appreciation
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19881#0026
The IVork of George Henry, R.S.A.
Henry's lot to execute, but in these, too, he than the first named, but displaying perhaps even
evinces his artistry. He feels that his younger more insight into (and sympathy with) the wonder-
sitters of the fair sex, lacking the sterner character- ing outlook on the world of a wee lassie of
istics of the man, call for less severe treatment, four summers. As a piece of colour it is a
and he introduces, therefore, more richness and contrast to the Muriel Cleland, being an exercise
a greater delicacy into the pictures he paints in blue instead of an arrangement in red; as
of them. Highly typical of this side of his art a piece of painting it is just as deft, just as
is a lovely presentment of Mrs. W. J. Dudgeon— accomplished; while the simplicity of the whole
a charming sitter whose beauty evidently inspired work accentuates insensibily the impression of
the painter to put forth his powers to the full. childish beauty and naivete that is conveyed to the
His portraits of children—those delicious achieve- spectator by the wondering eyes, the quaintly
ments—must also be considered if one is to clasped hands, and the unstudied pose of the little
have any idea of the extent of Henry's artistic sitter. George Henry is indeed gifted in possessing
accomplishment. For though Henry can, and so unusual a power of perpetuating on canvas the
does, paint a man's portrait that is full of character, grace, the charm, and the tenderness of childhood,
or a sumptuous study of woman's loveliness, the He obviously has both an innate sympathy with
present writer, for one, cannot help feeling that children and a true artistic delight in their beauty ;
it is in his portraits of children that he is and one cannot help seeing that in these portraits,
at his very best. All great artists have painted unhampered by any possible uncongeniality in his
children with love, with insight, and with delight ; sitter, he "lets himself go," producing results that
and Henry's power in
this direction is one
more evidence of his
artistic kinship with the
greatest painters of all
time.
His children's portraits :&
show how accomplished N
he is. How admirably ... V
has the painter caught _ ,\
the sparkling, roguish
glance of Muriel Cle-
land, her bonny smile,
her rebellious curls!
She stands poised on {
dainty feet, clad all in >- Jr :"lpiilpTO*W^&wMr8B^ ^ t£«|
rich red; dress, stockings, |JB<; m
shoes, a mass of colour
daringly used, skilfully
broken, and beautifully
relieved by the white W
sunbonnet and its strings. .;
One can call to mind in
the whole range of recent
art few more admirable
portraits of children than
this excellent realisation
of a happy and vi- . • «
vacious girl. Another
admirably seen and beau-
tifully painted child's
portrait is that of Carola
Helena Baird, a little
less sparkling, may be "the hedge cutter" by george henry, r.s.a.
io
Henry's lot to execute, but in these, too, he than the first named, but displaying perhaps even
evinces his artistry. He feels that his younger more insight into (and sympathy with) the wonder-
sitters of the fair sex, lacking the sterner character- ing outlook on the world of a wee lassie of
istics of the man, call for less severe treatment, four summers. As a piece of colour it is a
and he introduces, therefore, more richness and contrast to the Muriel Cleland, being an exercise
a greater delicacy into the pictures he paints in blue instead of an arrangement in red; as
of them. Highly typical of this side of his art a piece of painting it is just as deft, just as
is a lovely presentment of Mrs. W. J. Dudgeon— accomplished; while the simplicity of the whole
a charming sitter whose beauty evidently inspired work accentuates insensibily the impression of
the painter to put forth his powers to the full. childish beauty and naivete that is conveyed to the
His portraits of children—those delicious achieve- spectator by the wondering eyes, the quaintly
ments—must also be considered if one is to clasped hands, and the unstudied pose of the little
have any idea of the extent of Henry's artistic sitter. George Henry is indeed gifted in possessing
accomplishment. For though Henry can, and so unusual a power of perpetuating on canvas the
does, paint a man's portrait that is full of character, grace, the charm, and the tenderness of childhood,
or a sumptuous study of woman's loveliness, the He obviously has both an innate sympathy with
present writer, for one, cannot help feeling that children and a true artistic delight in their beauty ;
it is in his portraits of children that he is and one cannot help seeing that in these portraits,
at his very best. All great artists have painted unhampered by any possible uncongeniality in his
children with love, with insight, and with delight ; sitter, he "lets himself go," producing results that
and Henry's power in
this direction is one
more evidence of his
artistic kinship with the
greatest painters of all
time.
His children's portraits :&
show how accomplished N
he is. How admirably ... V
has the painter caught _ ,\
the sparkling, roguish
glance of Muriel Cle-
land, her bonny smile,
her rebellious curls!
She stands poised on {
dainty feet, clad all in >- Jr :"lpiilpTO*W^&wMr8B^ ^ t£«|
rich red; dress, stockings, |JB<; m
shoes, a mass of colour
daringly used, skilfully
broken, and beautifully
relieved by the white W
sunbonnet and its strings. .;
One can call to mind in
the whole range of recent
art few more admirable
portraits of children than
this excellent realisation
of a happy and vi- . • «
vacious girl. Another
admirably seen and beau-
tifully painted child's
portrait is that of Carola
Helena Baird, a little
less sparkling, may be "the hedge cutter" by george henry, r.s.a.
io