Her Sunday Shawl (Primary Title)

Robert Henri, American, 1865 - 1929 (Artist)

1924
American
oil on canvas
United States
Unframed: 24 × 20 1/4 in. (60.96 × 51.44 cm)
Framed: 32 × 28 1/8 in. (81.28 × 71.44 cm)
2003.125
Not on view

Throughout his long career, Robert Henri traveled extensively, depicting individuals of diverse ages, races, and nationalities. Visits to Achill Island, Ireland, in the early 1900s brought him the opportunity to paint some of his favorite subjects—small children. “Feel the dignity of a child. Do not feel superior to him, for you are not,” Henri advised students in his influential book The Art Spirit, published in 1923. The following year, he captured the quick intelligence of Sarah Burke as she peeked out of her voluminous Sunday shawl with bright, impish eyes. Portraits like Her Sunday Shawl recognize that children possess a psychological bearing—and gravitas and intelligence—far beyond the years.

signed lower right: "Robert Henri"; signed verso: "Robert Henri. Her Sunday Shawl. 186/M"
Gift of Charles G. Thalhimer in memory of his wife Rhoda
"The New VMFA: Collecting for the Future," Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (15 October, 2003 - 4 January, 2004.

"Robert Henri, Painter," Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington; Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, University Park; Cincinnati Art Museum; Phoenix Art Museum; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1984-1985.

Bernard Danberg Galleries, n.d.

"Robert Henri Today," Grand Central Galleries, New York (9 - 28 January, 1939) no. 27.

"Irish and Spanish Portraits by Robert Henri," Rochester Memorial Art Gallery (1926) no. 13.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.