Robert Bartholow Harshe (1879–1938) was an artist and museum professional who served as director of theArt Institute of Chicago from 1921 to 1938.
Harshe was born inSalisbury, Missouri, the son of William and Emily (Robinson) Harshe. He graduated from theUniversity of Missouri in 1899 and studied art at theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago, theArt Students League of New York, the Colorossi Academy in Paris, and theCentral School of Arts and Crafts in London. His media were etching and painting.[1]
In 1902 he began as a supervisor for manual arts in Columbus, Georgia, and was then Instructor of Fine Arts at theUniversity of Missouri. In 1908 he became Assistant Professor of Graphic Arts atStanford University.[1][2] In 1913 he became a co-founder and first president of theCalifornia Society of Etchers, the predecessor of theCalifornia Society of Printmakers.
Harshe served as Assistant Director of the Department of Fine Arts for the 1915Panama Pacific International Exposition inSan Francisco. That same year he became Director of theOakland, California Public Museum, one of the predecessors of theOakland Museum of California, and in 1916 he created and began directing the Oakland Art Gallery as an extension of the museum. He became Assistant Director of theCarnegie Institute of Pittsburgh from 1916 until 1920. He then became Assistant Director of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1920 under George Eggers. He became Director the following year, and remained in that position until his death in 1938. As Director of the museum, he acted as Chief Curator for Paintings and Sculpture.[3]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
