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H. H. Richardson

H. H. Richardson
Artist
Hubert Von Herkomer, 26 May 1849 - 31 Mar 1914
Sitter
H. H. Richardson, 29 Sep 1838 - 27 Apr 1886
Date
1886
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 113 × 142.9 × 3.8 cm (44 1/2 × 56 1/4 × 1 1/2")
Frame: 127.6 × 158.4 × 5.7 cm (50 1/4 × 62 3/8 × 2 1/4")
Topic
Interior
Artwork
Container\Vase
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Desk
H. H. Richardson: Male
H. H. Richardson: Visual Arts\Architect
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.2010.13
Exhibition Label
H. H. Richardson 1838–1886
Born St. James Parish, Louisiana
Trained in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts, Henry Hobson Richardson originated a modern style of architecture that helped him become the leading U.S. architect in the late 1800s. Richardson adapted the Romanesque style of medieval Europe to the contemporary taste for the picturesque to create a revival style known as Richardsonian Romanesque. Best known today for Trinity Church in Boston, Massachusetts, Richardson designed a wide range of structures, including railroad stations, department stores, courthouses, libraries, and private homes.
During sittings for this portrait, British artist Hubert von Herkomer noted that Richardson was “as solid in his friendship as in his figure. Big-bodied, big-hearted, large-minded, full-brained, loving as he is pugnacious.” Richardson designed Herkomer’s English country house, Lululaund (named for the artist’s wife) in exchange for this portrait. Built in 1894 and demolished in 1939, it was the only example of Richardson’s work outside of the United States.
Nacido en St. James Parish, Luisiana
Educado en la École des Beaux-Arts de París, Henry Hobson Richardson inauguró un estilo moderno que lo convirtió en el arquitecto más importante de Estados Unidos a fines del siglo XIX. Adaptando el estilo románico de la Europa medieval al gusto contemporáneo por lo pintoresco, creó un estilo neotradicional que se ha llamado románico richardsoniano. Más conocido por la Trinity Church de Boston, Massachusetts, Richardson diseñó una gama de estructuras, entre ellas estaciones de trenes, tiendas por departamentos, juzgados, bibliotecas y residencias particulares.
Durante sus sesiones con Richardson, el pintor británico Hubert von Herkomer observó que era “tan sólido en su amistad como en su figura. Grande de cuerpo y corazón, de mente amplia y fértil, tan afectuoso como agresivo”. Richardson diseñó la casa de campo de Herkomer en Inglaterra (llamada Lululaund por la esposa del artista) a modo de pago por este retrato. Construida en 1894 y demolida en 1939, Lululaund fue el único ejemplo de la obra de Richardson fuera de EE.UU.
Provenance
Mrs. Henry H. Richardson III [d. 2008]; her children Heidi, Henry, Juliet and Lily Richardson; purchased 2009 NPG
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 140