Jackson Free Press

The diversity of the Spanish people captivated Robert Henri. The American painter and teacher who taught at New York School of Art made frequent trips to Spain that resulted in his appropriately titled "Spanish Sojourns" collection of paintings that feature landscapes and numerous portraits.

The subjects of his portraiture varied widely, from peasants to celebrities. Each painting captures the unique spirit of the individual through heavy brush strokes and realistic color palettes.

In a landmark exhibition that Telfair Museums in Savannah, Ga., organized, "Robert Henri and the Spirit of Spain" travels to the San Diego Museum of Art and from Sept. 27-Jan. 4, 2015, at the Mississippi Museum of Art.

"Numerous ... paintings from (Henri's) extended sojourns in Spain, as well as those which were profoundly influenced by his experience of Spain—but painted in his New York studio—are true masterpieces," says Roger Ward, deputy director and chief curator at MMA. "But they are less well-known than his Irish oeuvre, for example, because the greatest works remain in private hands or were acquired relatively early by museums all over the United States, some of which are off the beaten path for many American art lovers and tourists alike."

Those include paintings from Lincoln, Neb., and Waterville, Maine, as well as two portraits here in Mississippi: "Young Woman in Yellow Satin" (1907) in the Jackson museum's collection, and "The Brown Wrap" (1911) in the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel (565 N. 5th Ave., Laurel, 601-949-6374).

Henri's fascination with people's sense of self is a probable result of a complicated childhood. Born in Ohio in 1865 as Robert Henry Cozad, Henri spent most of his early years moving from town to town with his parents. His father, John Cozad, founded Cozaddale, Ohio, before the family moved on to found Cozad, Neb. The Cozads remained in Nebraska for more than 10 years until a legal altercation between Cozad and a rancher forced the family further west. After his father was indicted for manslaughter in 1882, the Cozads assumed new identities and claimed their sons were adopted nephews. That is when Henri dropped Cozad and took the name Robert Henri.

After a short stay in Denver, the former Cozads moved to Atlantic City, N.J., where Henri began painting. He trained with prestigious artists Thomas Anshutz and James B. Kelly and found a fondness for Impressionism. Years later, he would urge American painters to paint their experiences, seeking out more realistic and commonplace subjects. Now, Jackson will get a chance to see through Henri's eyes as he traveled through Spain.

"Robert Henri and Spain, Face to Face" will join the exhibition in The William B. and Isabel R. McCarty Foundation Gallery. Both are presented by the Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin Memorial Exhibition Series. The accompanying collection will include paintings from Henri as well as artists that directed his attention to Spain. "The 'Face to Face' exhibition, which we have organized, will provide the Jackson visitor with a perfect introduction to the larger exhibition, 'Spanish Sojourns,'" Museum Director Betsy Bradley says. "How exciting it is to be able to display exquisite works by great artists such as El Greco, Ribera, Manet and Mary Cassatt, alongside the beautiful works of John Singer Sargent and Henri himself—paintings which pay homage to the Spanish predecessor they both revered: Diego Velazquez."

The exhibit's stay at the museum will include a celebration Oct. 16 in The Art Garden with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and "A Night of Passion with A'lante Flamenco," which will feature their performance of "Flamencura," which will give the audience a glimpse into a traditional Spanish club.

Spanish Sojourns" will be on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) from Sept. 27-Jan. 4, 2015. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for students and free for museum members and children ages 5 and under. For more information, visit msmuseumart.com or find the museum on Facebook.