Robert Henri Museum

This Nebraska art gallery was established in 2014 and is dedicated to honoring Robert Henri, a renowned American artist and teacher who was born in Cozad in 1865 and lived in the historic home next to the gallery. The museum includes the most extensive collection of his work in the country, including an immersive experience within the exhibit titled "Through My Own Language: Robert Henri and His Portraits, Landscapes, and Sketches," which includes many of the artist's best works along with personal items. The Robert Henri Museum is located within the artist's restored childhood home which was built around eight years after the artist's birth. Visitors to the museum can explore furnished rooms, family treasures, and a museum shop. The museum hosts events throughout the year, including receptions and festivals, and seeks to be a center for art and community. Additional museum exhibits, like "Robert Henri: From the 100th Meridian to International Fame," shed light on Henri's Nebraska ties.

Robert Henri, born Robert Henry Cozad in 1865, emerged as a seminal figure in American art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Raised in Cozad, Nebraska, his early life was marked by tragedy when his father, John J. Cozad, founder of the town Cozad, became entangled in a feud resulting in a fatal confrontation that prompted the family to change their surname to Henri and relocate to Atlantic City. As a young man, Henri's artistic talents flourished, eventually leading him to study in Paris under the renowned academic painter Jean-Léon Gérôme.

Returning to America, Henri became a leading figure in the Ashcan School, a movement that rejected academic conventions in favor of depicting everyday urban life with gritty realism. His influential teachings at the New York School of Art, where he emphasized the importance of individual expression and direct observation, helped shape the course of American art education.

The Robert Henri Museum and Art Gallery in Cozad pays homage to his legacy, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in his life and work. The museum, situated in Henri's restored childhood home, provides a poignant glimpse into his formative years and family history. Through meticulously curated exhibits, such as "Through My Own Language" and "Painters of A New Century," patrons gain insight into Henri's artistic evolution and the impact of his teachings on subsequent generations of artists.

Osborn, Peter. About the Cozad Family History, About the Cozad Family History. January 1st, 2014. Accessed April 8th, 2024. https://www.roberthenrimuseum.org/the-cozad-family-history.