Monhegan, Maine 

Robert Henri made this evocative oil sketch, Monhegan, Maine, during one of his summers spent on the rugged island off the coast of Maine. The sketch’s energetic strokes and earthy palette give us a sense of the island's raw, untamed beauty, but it’s important to consider Henri’s work within the context of the Ashcan School and the broader Social Realist movement in the United States at the turn of the century. This group sought to depict everyday life, particularly of the working class, and to challenge the dominance of academic art institutions. Henri’s landscapes, such as this one, provided an alternative to the romanticized and idealized landscape painting of the time. Though seemingly apolitical, they were quietly radical in their honest, unadorned portrayal of nature. To understand fully the importance of Henri’s work, scholars consult exhibition reviews, artists' manifestos, and the records of art institutions, to understand the artistic debates of the time. By understanding the wider artistic context we can better appreciate the social and cultural significance of Henri’s paintings.