The images and information presented below are for the instruction of students and scholarly research.
Henri Hayden
(1883-1970)
Henri Hayden was an Expressionist and Cubist painter born in Warsaw, Poland. Hayden would become known for the great strides he made in Cubism, as well as for his colorful still life and landscapes. As a young man, he dually attended the Warsaw Polytechnic School for engineering, as well as the School of Fine Arts. By 1905, Hayden had abandoned engineering to focus on the arts.
Flowers
In 1907, Hayden left for Paris, where he intended to study for only one year. However, Hayden ended up settling in Paris where he lived until his death in 1970. Four years after his arrival in Paris, Hayden held his first one-man exhibition, which signaled the beginning of his career.
Le Marins du Port
Though his Cubist period only lasted from 1916 to 1921, Hayden made a great impact on this movement. In fact, Hayden began painting in the Cubist style far before most famous Cubist painters we know today. However, he never fully embraced Cubism, and is better known for his Expressionist figurative pieces.
Still Life with Ace of Clubs and Chess Pieces 1919
Perhaps one of the most curious things about the art of Henri Hayden is that his style varied greatly from one decade to the next. While most of his fellow artists were establishing a signature look for themselves, Hayden continued to experiment with color, style and technique. Whether he was creating lithographs, watercolors or still life oil paintings, Hayden’s oeuvre is full of delightful surprises.
Crique de Casis, 1921
Nude, 1930
Still Life with Anemones Alliums, 1940
Petit Orchestre, 1969
However, it is this very creative spirit that may make it difficult for one to determine whether their painting was made by Hayden or not.
Still Life with Vat 69, 1965
Le Limon Vert, 1965
Bottle and Pipe, 1967
Paysage Beka, 1968
Hayden created art until nearly the end, with bright vibrant color and simplicity dominating his compositions in his final pieces. Today, his paintings are housed worldwide, and perhaps even in your own home. Do you suspect that one of your treasured family paintings was created by Henri Hayden? Contact us to find out.
