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HENRY MARK Henry Mark (* January 8th, 1917 in Brooklyn/ New York, † December 1961 in Brooklyn, New York) was an US-American artist, known as the legendary “The American silkscreen and serigraph master” already in his lifetime. He was married with Rose Mark, they had one son, Michael D. Mark * March 16th, 1943.

Henry Mark started as an interior decorator whose work was in high demand. Already during his early years he was awarded contracts to set up showrooms in Venezuela and many other countries. Henry Mark, self-taught, successful, just knew that his real passion was painting. He decided to devote his time to this art exclusively.

Right from the start, Henry Mark was an artist whose innovative new paths were recognized and highly appreciated by art critics. Such critics can be re-read in the archives of the reputable Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn/New York. Critics referred to Henry Mark as an exceptional artist who devoted his whole being to his art: as if he knew that life would give him only a limited time for his devotion. Henry Mark made use of his time, grew to be a legend and was called: “the American silkscreen and serigraph master.“

At an early stage Henry Mark discovered the benefits of silkscreens/serigraphy. He was fascinated to discover the different artistic avenues now open to him. Basically, serigraphy involves the use of a stencil. There are many kinds of stencils, but one made with the use of a silk screen avoids the flat areas common to most stencil prints. Stencils on a silk screen may be made by the use of film, lacquer, paper, glue etc, but the one most commonly used, is made with drawing ink, called „tusche“ at that time“.

The world of art was well aware of this extraordinary artist and watched him with fascination. Despite his young life Henry Mark had succeeded to present his silkscreens in a thus far unbeknown calligraphy style that is highly personal in color and in composition. Not only the Paris Art Gallery Lelong was requesting the silkscreens/serigraphs of Henry Mark. 1941, only aged 24, his silkscreens were honored with exhibitions in the Virginia Museum and in the Carnegie Institute, 1944 in the Artists Gallery. In the succeeding years numerous exhibitions in the National Serigraph Society, New York followed. In an extensive exhibit in 1945, the well known Brooklyn Museum displayed a huge amount of his serigraphs covering the years 1941 through 1944. His works were also shown in the Pennsylvania Academy of Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In addition, his prints were shown throughout the country in exhibitions circulated by the National Serigraph Society.

In the early time of his work the serigraphs of the artist appear in realistic forms, followed by a period that can be labeled as semi-abstract. However, even in these semi-abstract works Henry Mark remains true to his art and observed, “… that all fine art must have dignity and in all compositions there exists not only the visible shape but the invisible form as well…“ He emphasizes the invisible forms through calligraphic line and achieves in color and design a harmonious whole. One of the goals of Henry Mark was to show that the mental appearance can be up for changes due different moods and circumstances.

Henry Mark was a master to create and show different moods in his serigraphs, and fully deserved to be called „master of serigraphy“. Some examples: from the thoughtful mood reflected in his prints entitled „Crucifixion“ and „Agony of the Innocent“, the gaiety and lightness of movement in the compositions „Carnival“ and „Dancers, this artist’s work show originality, sensitiveness and sincerity. Contemporary in feeling and color, Mark’s serigraphs are executed with deftness and a commendable understanding of the limitations as well as the advantages of the medium.

In a personal note to the Brooklyn Museum Henry Mark wrote:

Quote„…in nature, space is infinite – so too in Art. In this two dimensional surface, space can also be infinite and with the aid of your subconscious you can eliminate all hesitancy and bring forth Art wholly free and creative. Therefore, in these compositions there exists not only the visible shapes but shapes that are behind and beyond. Their forms are embraced in a calligraphic line, making a unity of pattern and design – and colors in a related harmony to the whole. My conceptions of theme derive from many influences and I attempt to embody a universal philosophy…“ Unquote Henry Mark, 1945

Like most fine print makers Henry Mark also was a painter in oil, meeting with equal appreciation in the world of arts. The beauty of these is awesome. His painting „solaquaterra“ was awarded first price by the Brooklyn Museum. More than 60 years later this impressive painting still appears rather futuristic.

His women in oil, small and large versions, leave the viewer spellbound. Model for all these women was his wife Rose: „Contemplating Woman“, „Woman With Red Scarf“, „Woman Playing The Mandolin“. „The Skater“ is a self-portrait of the artist.

One serigraph requires special attention: „Pegasus“. In 1946 this serigraph was honored with a special award by the Brooklyn Museum. This serigraph was also included in a leading article during that time: „Serigraphy, Newcomer to the Graphic Arts“ by Doris Meltzer, Director of the Serigraph Galleries. The headline over „Pegasus“ reads: The serigraph has enabled us to enjoy powerful and moving works of art like this horse by Henry Mark.

In the middle of his productive time Henry Mark was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. In 1961, after eight long years of suffering, Henry Mark passed away in his home in Brooklyn.

In postumous honour of the deceased Henry Mark, the Brooklyn Museum held a „ Henry Mark Memorial Show“ on December 17th, 1961, displaying 31 items of his serigraphs and oil paintings.

Henry Mark – Rewards One-Man-Shows: 1943 – Artists Gallery , New York City, paintings and prints 1944 – Artists Gallery, New York City, watercolor and ink drawings 1944 – Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica/New York, watercolor and ink drawings 1945 – Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn/New York, serigraphs 1945 – International Print Society, paintings and prints

Major Group Exhibitions Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh/Pa., Directions in American Art Pennsylvania Academy of Art, Philadelphia/Pa, annual of 1942 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond/Va, Richmond Virginia Biennial 1942 San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco/Calif., Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City San Francisco Annual of Prints and Drawings - 1942 Metropolitan Museum, New York City. MoMa , Museum of Modern Art, New York City, Christmas Exhibitions 1942 and 1943 Elisabet Ney Museum, Austin Texas, 1st International Print Show, March 1943 Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn/New York, Technique Exhibition of Graphic Arts, 1944 The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago/Ill., Watercolor and Drawing Exhibition, 1944 Brooklyn Museum Annuals of 1945, 1946, 1947 Library of Congress Print Annuals of 1944, 1945, 1946 International Watercolor Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn/New York in 1947

In Permanent Collections of: MoMa, Museum of Modern Art, New York City Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn/ NewYork Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City Portland Museum, Portland/Oregon De Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco/Calif. University of Iowa, Iowa City/Iowa Princeton Print Club, Princeton/New Jersey Firestone Library Princeton University, Princeton/New Jersey American Association of University Women U.S. State Department, Washington/DC Smithsonian Institute, Washington/DC San Francisco Museum of Art New York Public Library, New York City Library of Congress, Washington/DC Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh/Pa. Boston Museum of Fine Art,Boston/Mass.

Awards: San Francisco Annual of Prints & Drawings 1942 for serigraph ‘The Table’ Brooklyn Museum Annual 1946 for serigraph ‘Pegasus’ First Prize in oil painting, Brooklyn Museum Annual 1946 – ‚Solaquaterra‘