Concarneau, Terrace* and *Brittany Street Scene* are paintings by American artist Robert Henri, who was part of the Ashcan School, an art movement focused on capturing everyday scenes with a naturalistic and often gritty approach.
Concarneau, Terrace** (1899) reflects Henri’s time in Concarneau, a coastal town in Brittany, France. The scene captures the charm and tranquility of the terrace overlooking the sea, with his characteristic use of loose, bold brushstrokes to convey an impression of the place rather than minute details.
Brittany Street Scene** portrays the everyday life of the people in the Brittany region. Painted with earthy tones and natural light, it highlights Henri’s dedication to realism and interest in capturing the lives of common people, using subdued colors to evoke the mood of the environment.
These works illustrate Henri’s early influences from European art and his interest in representing the authenticity of life outside his native United States. His works from this period exhibit the foundation of his evolving style that would later influence American realism.