Son of a notorious gambler, Henri was born Robert Henry Cozad and grew up in Cozad, Nebraska, which his father had founded. After his father killed a man and fled, the various members of the family took different names to avoid identification and Robert assumed the name Robert Henri. Henri studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and traveled frequently to Paris. It was in Paris, where he first studied at the Academie Julian and later formed a small art school of his own, that he grew to admire the dark palette and free brushwork of Manet, Hals and Velasquez.

Portrait of a Girl with a Red Shawl, 1912, has been painted with loose, thick brushstrokes in a quick manner. The bright red shawl contrasts beautifully with the black background and dress of the young girl. Henri’s exceptional skill is evident in the pose, expression, and style of the portrait.