Two masterworks from Henry Ossawa Tanner at Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) will exhibit two works by Henry Ossawa Tanner, presenting discoveries from a recent comprehensive conservation treatment and technical study conducted by the DMA with generous support from the Art Bridges Foundation. The findings contribute new insights into the practice of the acclaimed American artist, including the evolution of Tanner’s techniques, his exploration of color theory, and abandoned compositions within the canvases.

The exhibition pairs The Thankful Poor (1894), one of Tanner’s most famous early paintings, and Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures (about 1908), an exemplar of his signature blue palette and later religious subjects.

“Focus On: Henry Ossawa Tanner” is on view beginning August 17, 2021, through January 2, 2022, and is included in free general admission.

Born to a religious family, Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859–1937) trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and initially painted scenes depicting Black daily life. Due to extreme racism and the professional obstacles he faced in the U.S., Tanner moved to France while in his 30s and turned his focus toward biblical scenes, a theme from which he rarely strayed for the rest of his life and that established his legacy.

The Thankful Poor, in the collection of the Art Bridges Foundation, is Tanner’s last known genre scene before he turned to painting biblical passages. Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures, in the DMA’s collection, illustrates Tanner’s devotion to his faith while also serving as a double portrait in subtle tribute to his wife and son, who were his models. The painting demonstrates the palette of cool blues Tanner often used; the color became synonymous with him.

From January to August 2021, Laura Eva Hartman, Paintings Conservator at the DMA. studied and treated the two paintings from the early and mature phases of Tanner’s career, revealing both common threads and significant evolution in his practice.

•Tanner’s use of contrasting colors shows a deep understanding of color theory. Conservation treatment of The Thankful Poor revealed a range of previously undetectable paint colors, such as combinations of purples and oranges with blues and yellows. The later painting shows the same warm, dark foundation with the addition of brighter, cooler hues that became part of his hallmark style.

•Both canvases were originally used to begin other works. An abandoned version of The Young Sabot Maker (1895), in the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, was found on the reverse of The Thankful Poor. X-radiography uncovered a completely different composition underneath Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures, showing two draped figures in a landscape.

•X-radiography showed compositional changes and refinements in The Thankful Poor, such as modifications to objects on the table and in the room, and adjustments to the child’s pose.

•Trained as an academic painter, Tanner would later push the limits of traditional techniques. The works showcase Tanner’s innovation in applying energetic brushwork while also sanding, scratching, and wiping paint to create unique surface effects.

“Being able to study both paintings was a true honor,” Hartman said. “Cleaning layers of darkened varnish from The Thankful Poor was especially significant, revealing a harmony that was previously obscured. Having time to study both paintings together also revealed common threads and pursued innovations, material information that speaks directly to Tanner’s profound knowledge of painting, showing his true hand as a highly skilled and brilliant artist.”

About the Dallas Museum of Art

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures.

Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations.

The DMA is an Open Access institution, allowing all works believed to be in the public domain to be freely available for downloading, sharing, repurposing, and remixing without restriction. For more information, visit www.DMA.org.

About the Art Bridges Foundation

Art Bridges is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton and is dedicated to expanding access to American art in all regions across the United States. Since 2017, Art Bridges has been creating and supporting programs that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of nearly 150 museums of all sizes and locations to provide financial and strategic support for exhibition development, collection loans from Art Bridges and other museums, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences.

The Art Bridges Collection features American masterworks of historic American art to the present day and encompasses painting, sculpture, and photography, among other mediums. For more information on who we reach and how to partner with us, visit ArtBridgesFoundation.org and follow us @ArtBridgesFoundation.