The Art Spirit

Robert Henri's book reveals the heart of an artist; free, textured and transcendent. He writes in his forward, "No effort has been made toward the form of a regular book. In fact the opinions are presented more as paintings are hung on a wall, to be looked at at will." "Through Art mysterious bonds of understanding and of knowledge are established among men. They are the bonds of a great Brotherhood. Those who are of the Brotherhood know each other, and time and space cannot separate them." "When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for better understanding." "A tree growing out of the ground is as wonderful today as it ever was. It does not need to adopt new and startling methods." "The picture that looks as if it were done without an effort may have been a perfect battlefield in its making." With Henri's written gallery we have glimpses into the artist's spirit and philosophy as well as his technique.