F. Ambrose Clark, Robert Henri, 1904

F. Ambrose clark artist:robert henri (american, cincinnati, ohio 1865–1929 new york) date:1904 medium:oil on canvas dimensions:77 5/8 x 38 1/4 in. (197. 2 x 97. 2 cm) classification:paintings credit line:purchase, stephen c. Clark jr. Gift, 1982 this elegant portrait was commissioned by the wealthy family of f. Ambrose clark (1880–1964), a gentleman jockey and, later, a successful breeder of racehorses. Henri was the leader of the ashcan school and a mentor to other members. Although he painted some urban scenes of the sort they preferred, he was more active as a portraitist, often, as here, enlisting the style of diego velázquez, which had also inspired john singer sargent and william merritt chase. Naturalistic demeanor, flattened space, broad brushwork, and a monochromatic palette are hallmarks of that style. Date: 1904. Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art.