Edward Henry Potthast Art
American, 1857-1927
Edward Henry Potthast was born in Cincinnati in 1857, the son of a German cabinetmaker. Along with contemporaries Frank Duveneck and John Henry Twachtman, Potthast eventually became one of the most significant artists to emerge from the burgeoning art milieu of Cincinnati during the nineteenth century.
Potthast received his early art training at the McMicken School of Design in Cincinnati while supporting himself as a lithographer and illustrator. In the fall of 1882, he traveled to Antwerp in the company of fellow artists Joseph Henry Sharp and Charles Haider. After a brief period of instruction in the studio of Charles Veriat, he went on to Munich. During the next three years he studied under Nicolas Gysis, Ludwig von Loefftz and possibly, Carl Marr.
Returning to Cincinnati in 1885, he resumed work as a lithographer and took evening classes at the Cincinnati Museum Association. He went to Europe again in 1887 and for the next few years divided his time between Munich and Paris. In 1889 or 1890, he visited Grez. Although he had concentrated on figure painting while in Munich, a meeting with the American Impressionist painters Robert Vonnoh and Roderick O'Conor in Grez, prompted him to turn to landscape subjects and a lighter, more colorful palette.
Potthast returned to Cincinnati around 1892, where he continued to work as a lithographer. In 1896, he moved to New York City, free-lancing for such popular magazines as Scribner's and Century and painting in his spare time. He soon became a lively figure in New York art circles, exhibiting and receiving numerous awards and prizes at the National Academy of Design, the Society of American Artists and the American Water Color Society. After developing a steady clientele for his paintings (he had dealers in Chicago and Cincinnati as well as New York), he was able to give up his work as a lithographer entirely.
Potthast was the first Cincinnati-based artist to work in the Impressionist mode. Although he continued to paint landscapes throughout his career, after his move to New York, he became renowned for his optimistic, sun-drenched beach scenes in which he combined the vivid colors of Impressionism with the strong brushwork of the Munich School. Among his favorite sites were Coney Island and Rockaway Beach, both readily accessible from New York City. He also took frequent trips along the New England coast, stopping frequently at Ogunquit, Maine. His other painting locales included the Grand Canyon and the Canadian Rockies, where he sought in search of new sketching material.to
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Artist: Edward Henry Potthast
Wading, Impressionist Oil on Board Painting, Late 19th Century, Signed
By Edward Henry Potthast
Located in New York, NY
EDWARD HENRY POTTHAST
(American, 1857-1927)
Wading
oil on board
signed E. Potthast, l.l.
11 1/4 x 15 1/2 in. (18 1/2 x 22 1/2 in.)
Provenance: Traxel Art Galleries, Cincinnati,...
Category
Late 19th Century Impressionist Edward Henry Potthast Art
Materials
Oil, Board
GIRL WADING
By Edward Henry Potthast
Located in Portland, ME
Potthast, Edward H. GIRL WADING. Colored pencil drawing on paper, not dated. Signed recto, lower right "E. Potthast," lower right, and inscribed "Holiday Greetings" and signed "Edw. ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Impressionist Edward Henry Potthast Art
Materials
Color Pencil
The Century Magazine
By Edward Henry Potthast
Located in Fairlawn, OH
After Edward Henry Potthast
The Century Magazine
Chromolithograph, July 7, 1896
Printed by W.B. Orcutt Co., NY
Note: This image won an honorable mention in a poster contest sponsored...
Category
1890s Art Nouveau Edward Henry Potthast Art
Materials
Lithograph
The Century Magazine
By Edward Henry Potthast
Located in Fairlawn, OH
After Edward Henry Potthast
The Century Magazine
Chromolithograph, July 7, 1896
Printed by W.B. Orcutt Co., NY
Note: This image won an honorable mention in a poster contest sponsored...
Category
1890s Art Nouveau Edward Henry Potthast Art
Materials
Lithograph
Brother Lazarus
By Edward Henry Potthast
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Charcoal and Ink Wash on Paper
Signature: Signed Lower Left
Published in Century Magazine, July 1899 Vol 58, pg. 361. Article. "Brother Sims' Mistake". Title: "Brother Lazar...
Category
1890s Edward Henry Potthast Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Ink
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Edward Henry Potthast art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Edward Henry Potthast art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward Henry Potthast in paint, oil paint, panel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 19th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Edward Henry Potthast art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Charles Herbert Woodbury, Henry Bacon, and Donald Teague. Edward Henry Potthast art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $23,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.







