Presentation on artist Robert Henri and Mayo island portraits
A presentation about artist Robert Henri and the Dooagh portraits is taking place in Achill this National Heritage Week.
Many famous artists have found inspiration on the beautiful and rugged island of Achill. However, there is one famous US artist spent many years painting in Dooagh who has all but been forgotten.
Robert Henri (pronounced Hen-rye) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in June 1865. He first arrived on Achill Island in July 1913.
Henri had been searching for a place to find inspiration. Having been to Spain, Mexico and several other countries, he arrived on Achill Island pronouncing it as being like 'no place else'.
With his wife of Irish origin, Margorie Organ, they returned many times, eventually buying Corrymore House in Dooagh.
It’s likely that his friend John Butler Yeats suggested he go to Achill and by the time he arrived in Dooagh, Henri was already a famous artist in America and in particular in New York.
During his many years visiting Achill, Henri painted hundreds of portraits of the children of Dooagh. All of these paintings were shipped off to the US where they were sold. Many lie in private collections around the United States and others are in museums and art galleries there.
A portrait of one of Henri’s Dooagh sitters can fetch upwards of $1million dollars.
Unfortunately there are none of these beautiful works in Ireland, at least not yet!
The Museum of Childhood Ireland along with the History Department of the University of Galway and researcher Aine Maguire, in association with Mayo County Council, have completed an oral history project based on the artist.
Most all of the sitters for Henri’s portraits were children from Dooagh and have now passed away and the project set about to interview their relatives and to bring this cultural phenomenon to the fore, shedding new light on the wonderful Henri portraits and the children of Dooagh between 1913 and 1928.
To coincide with Heritage Week 2024, a presentation about Robert Henri and the Dooagh portraits will take place in Gielty’s in Dooagh on August 17 (5 to 7 p.m.). Open discussion will be followed by refreshments and all are welcome.
This is a free event but booking is recommended, by text at (087) 1320743 or email museumofchildhoodireland@gmail.com.
CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP
The Museum of Childhood Ireland will host an art and community workshop with Achill-based artist Maeve Clancy for young artists to gather old stories and bring them to life in a modern way (for children 8 plus). It takes place on August 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.at Gielty’s (function room).
This is an inter-generational workshop where the children will be introduced to older members of the community who will have been invited to attend by the museum. The children will interview the older people to find out what life for children was like in Achill in the past. These interviews will then be converted into mini-comics by the young people, guided by Maeve who has a wealth of experience leading youth art groups.
This is a unique chance for young people to engage with the older generation and express history in a modern way.
Once the comic books are completed everyone will get a chance to share their work with the group.
Places are limited. This is a free event but booking is required. Text (087) 1320743 or email museumofchildhoodireland@gmail.com.