D.C. art society has lost track of Henry William Olson (1902-83). There was a day and age when Olson was smack dab in the middle of Washington Art Society. He belonged to the Society of Washington Artists, Washington Watercolor Club, Washington Art Club, and the American Association of University Professors. During his tenure he was an active member and served as the President of the Washington Watercolor Club for two different terms, first in the 50s and later in the 70s.
Olson was born in Canton, Ohio, studied at Columbus School of Art, Otterbein College at Westerville, Ohio, Ohio State University and in DC at the Corcoran School of Art. He served as an instructor at the Wilson Teachers College, which in 1955 was transitioned into the District of Columbia Teachers College. Some claim he taught scientific illustration.
The watercolor below: Chinatown, NYC, was included in the 1943 Society of Washington Artists exhibit at the Corcoran Museum of Art. The Washington Post review by Jane Watson named Olson's painting in the group show (Jan. 31st, 1943). Upon close inspection of Olson's watercolor, you realize that he doesn't understand Chinese kanji (Chinese writing). Instead of working out Chinese messages in his painting, he instead uses scribbled hieroglyphics made to look like kanji. The painting reflects the time, World War II is in process and the flags hang off the buildings to provide support to our servicemen and women. A three tiered banner hangs over the street with an unknown message. Down on the street there are delivery trucks bringing daily produce to the wholesale and retail dealers. The business men are wearing hats, while the laborers are wearing caps, you can tell the difference. The tall buildings create a canyon and the windows are created with dark rectangles.
New York Chinatown
Exhibited at the Corcoran Museum of Art
Washington Post Review - Jan. 13, 1943
Henry Olson signature - Lower Right
Olsen exhibited at the University of Florence, Italy (one-man show in 1945); Wilson Teachers College 1946, Society of Washington Arts; Washington Landscape Club in 1941 and 1944; Washington Watercolor Club; Washington Artist Club 1944 and 1945; and Pennsylvania State Teachers College. He accomplished a mural for Wilson Teachers College - location unknown today. On occasion, you can still find Olson's work in local DC area galleries.
References include:
Olson was born in Canton, Ohio, studied at Columbus School of Art, Otterbein College at Westerville, Ohio, Ohio State University and in DC at the Corcoran School of Art. He served as an instructor at the Wilson Teachers College, which in 1955 was transitioned into the District of Columbia Teachers College. Some claim he taught scientific illustration.
The watercolor below: Chinatown, NYC, was included in the 1943 Society of Washington Artists exhibit at the Corcoran Museum of Art. The Washington Post review by Jane Watson named Olson's painting in the group show (Jan. 31st, 1943). Upon close inspection of Olson's watercolor, you realize that he doesn't understand Chinese kanji (Chinese writing). Instead of working out Chinese messages in his painting, he instead uses scribbled hieroglyphics made to look like kanji. The painting reflects the time, World War II is in process and the flags hang off the buildings to provide support to our servicemen and women. A three tiered banner hangs over the street with an unknown message. Down on the street there are delivery trucks bringing daily produce to the wholesale and retail dealers. The business men are wearing hats, while the laborers are wearing caps, you can tell the difference. The tall buildings create a canyon and the windows are created with dark rectangles.
New York Chinatown
Exhibited at the Corcoran Museum of Art
Washington Post Review - Jan. 13, 1943
Henry Olson signature - Lower Right
Olsen exhibited at the University of Florence, Italy (one-man show in 1945); Wilson Teachers College 1946, Society of Washington Arts; Washington Landscape Club in 1941 and 1944; Washington Watercolor Club; Washington Artist Club 1944 and 1945; and Pennsylvania State Teachers College. He accomplished a mural for Wilson Teachers College - location unknown today. On occasion, you can still find Olson's work in local DC area galleries.
References include:
- Supplement to Mallett's Index of Artists, International Biographical by Daniel Trowbridge Mallett, New York, 1948.
- Washington Post, Jan. 31, 1943 - Article by Jane Watson
- Who Was Who in American Art
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Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors. These photos were created by Mr. Waller and all materials are used under the Fair Use Section 107, Copyright Act, unless otherwise noted. #waller-yoblonskyblogspot #henryolsen #washingtonartsociety
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