Collect: American Art

Henry Koerner, known for his striking and emotionally charged paintings, originally hailed from Vienna. Born in 1915 to Jewish parents, Koerner was forced to flee during Hitler’s annexation of Austria in World War II, eventually settling in the United States. In 1952 he arrived in Pittsburgh where he met and began a lifelong friendship with Robert Craig. 

Later in his life while traveling abroad in Europe, the two regularly exchanged letters and post cards. Frequently discussing their love of music and opera, Koerner related his joy in returning to Austria. In one card he notes “I am hiking the walks of our great composers and I am becoming I feel it, greater and greater through each work but mainly through the mystic environment of Vienna”.  In many cards he highlights Craig’s love of Schubert noting “I often think of you, especially when I hear Schubert on the air.” (Lot 99).  Indeed the profile of Schubert can be spotted in the center of the cluster of busts at the foreground of Bob’s House, a work that was gifted from Koerner to Craig. In addition to Schubert, Koerner has included a collection of artists, opera singers, and composers the two favored, cementing this work as a representation of their deep friendship and love.