Francis Henry Richardson1859–1934
Self-portrait of Francis Henry Richardson holding his palette

Self-portrait

American painter

Francis Henry Richardson 1859–1934

Born in Boston, Francis Henry Richardson trained at the Académie Julian in Paris and exhibited at the Paris Salon through the 1890s with portraits, scenes of fisher folk at Étaples, and landscapes. In 1900 he settled for good in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where the marshes, upland fields and coast became his subjects for the next three decades.

This site brings together his known works, the record of his Salon entries, and the story of his life, as researched by his family.

Explore the worksHis life

Fisherfolk unload a boat on the beach at dusk, the moon over the town1886–1900

The European Years

Paris, the Académie Julian and the Salon; summers among the fisher folk of Étaples; travels in Holland, Spain and North Africa.

Pollarded willows and red-brown shrubs along a dark stream in snow1900–1934

The Ipswich Years

A house on Windmill Hill, portraits on commission, and the marshes, fields and ocean of the North Shore.

Selected works

All 60 works →
An elderly woman in a black cloak and white cap sits in prayer, holding a rosary
The WidowSalon of 1890
A woman in a white cap cooks red mullet over a brazier in a kitchen at Étaples
Les Rougets (Red Mullets)Salon of 1896
Fisherfolk unload a boat on the beach at dusk, the moon over the town
Summer Evening, ÉtaplesSalon of 1899
A full moon over the walled town of Concarneau, reflected in the water at dusk
Concarneau Moonlight
Pollarded willows and red-brown shrubs along a dark stream in snow
Miles River in Snow
The bearded artist in a grey suit, holding his palette and brushes
Self-Portrait
A large green wave breaking into white foam against dark rocks
Wave

Do you own a Richardson?

The family is building as complete a record of his work as it can. If you own or know of a painting, pastel, watercolor or drawing by Francis Henry Richardson, we would be glad to hear about it.

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