Embodying the entire system of Robert Henri's teaching, The Art Spirit contains much valuable advice, critical comment, and inspiration to every student of the arts.

The Art Spirit

Arts & Photography

Henri, Robert

History & Criticism

JB Lippincott

"I would give anything to have come by this book years ago. It is in my opinion comparable only to the notes of Leonardo and Sir Joshua . . . One of the finest voices which express the philosophy of modern men in painting." — George Bellows A well-respected American artist, Robert Henri was also a gifted and influential teacher who attracted a large and devoted group of disciples. The Art Spirit, compiled by one of his former students, offers an unparalleled record of Henri's thoughts and theories. Essays, lectures, and notes not only embody the practical techniques of his approach to painting, but also articulate his belief that the joy and wisdom of the creative process are vital and accessible to everyone. The Art Spirit presents the entire system of Henri's teaching, complete with technical advice and critical comments, and will appeal to readers who delight in all forms of the arts. This classic guide offers information and inspiration for students, teachers, and professionals.

Dover Publications

Distinguished American Artists: Robert Henri (1922)

Pousette-Dart, Nathaniel

Kessinger Publishing

First published in 1923, “The Art Spirit,” by famed artist and teacher Robert Henri, has been an important and influential guide to aspiring artists for nearly one hundred years. Born Robert Henry Cozad in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1865, Henri studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the Académie Julian in Paris, and the Ѐcole des Beaux Arts before returning to America and eventually teaching at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women beginning in 1892. Henri was an immensely popular and inspirational teacher and attracted a large group of followers who enjoyed meeting with him to discuss art and culture. Henri became a leader of the Ashcan School of American realism and encouraged his students and peers to create new, more realistic art which reflected their lives and experiences. “The Art Spirit” is a collection of Henri’s teachings, words of wisdom, and views on the place of the art and artist in American society and culture. It also contains insightful and valuable technical advice for every art student. This timeless and classic work is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys and appreciates art. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Digireads.com Publishing

2019 Reprint of 1923 Edition.  From 1915 to 1927, Henri was a popular and influential teacher at the Art Students League of New York.  He provided for each student not a style so much as an attitude, an approach to art.  Henri's philosophical and practical musings were collected by former pupil Margery Ryerson and published as The Art Spirit (1923), a book that remained in print for several decades. Henri's other students include George Bellows, Arnold Franz Brasz, Stuart Davis, Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, Henry Ives Cobb, Jr., Lillian Cotton, John Sloan, Minerva Teichert and Yasuo Kuniyoshi.  Filled with valuable technical advice as well as wisdom about the place of art and the artist in American society, this classic work continues to be a guide for artists concerned with the process of artistic creation.

The Art Spirit: Facsimile of 1923 Edition

Martino Fine Books

Written 100 years ago, The Art Spirit by Robert Henri is most influential book for artists, and especially American artists. It still remains one of the best selling books on art and creativity, and it attracts new readers with every generation. Henri with the assistance of Margery Ryerson prepared this book from four decades of his lecture notes and hundreds of letters to students and friends. The Art Spirit deserves to be in every artist’s library.Although Henri offers practical advice on painting, the book is not just about how to do art, but how to become an artist. For Henri, there was no greater human ambition than to be an artist. Although Henri’s own life was not without challenges, especially financial ones, he does not dwell on his personal adversities. The book is a glorification of the artist’s life, and how mundane difficulties pale to the joys of the artistic life. The Art Spirit provides insights into the mind of one of America’s most influential artists and teachers, and the reader–artist comes away with an uplifting sense in what it means to be a part of the great “Brotherhood” of art. One of the problems of the original edition was that Henri was a frequent name-dropper. In this new edition, names and terms are annotated along with illustrations, making the read more informative and enjoyable. It is the best of The Art Spirit reprints.

The Art Spirit: Annotated with Illustrations

Innovative Books

My People: The Portraits of Robert Henri

Leeds, Valerie Ann

Fort Lauderdale Museum of the Arts

Columbus Museum of Art.

Univ of Washington Pr

The Art Spirit is one of the greatest books ever written on the subject of painting, aesthetics, and the creative life. Much more than a collection of practical tips and suggestions for painters, Henri delves deep into the nature of perception and experience itself, and shows how the spirit of artistic creation can and should inform the lives not only of painters, but of all human beings.\nFeaturing a new introduction by Semmelweis.\n“[Bushnell Keeler] gave me Robert Henri’s book, The Art Spirit, and I loved that book. … We used to carry it around, and the Art Spirit sort of became the Art Life, and I had this idea that you drink coffee, you smoke cigarettes, and you paint. And that’s IT.” - David Lynch\n“The object is intense living, fulfillment; the great happiness in creation. People sometimes phrase about the joy of work. It is only in creative work that joy may be found.” - Robert Henri

Painting

Rogue Scholar Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Henri, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Henri, Robert

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Henri, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Art Spirit

The Art Spirit

Distinguished American Artists: Robert Henri (1922)

Distinguished American Artists: Robert Henri (1922)

The Art Spirit

The Art Spirit: Facsimile of 1923 Edition

The Art Spirit: Annotated with Illustrations

My People: The Portraits of Robert Henri

The Art Spirit