Mary Agnes 

Robert Henri made this oil on canvas painting, titled 'Mary Agnes', sometime in the early 20th century. Henri was a leading figure in the Ashcan School, a group of American artists who sought to capture the gritty realities of urban life. Henri and his circle rejected the formal constraints of the established art world, which they saw as detached from the experiences of ordinary people. Instead, they turned to the streets for inspiration, depicting the lives of immigrants, laborers, and other marginalized communities. Henri’s portraits often celebrated the individuality and vitality of his subjects, regardless of their social status. The informal composition and the young girl's direct gaze challenge the conventions of traditional portraiture, which often emphasized formality and idealization. We can research the exhibition history of 'Mary Agnes' to understand the context in which it was first displayed and interpreted, as well as the role of art institutions in shaping its meaning.