About
Biography, timeline, and provenance notes
Biography
Born in Windfall, Tipton County, Indiana, Henshaw originally spelled his surname "Hinshaw," changing it around 1911. He was among the earliest students at the Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, studying under J. Ottis Adams before continuing his training abroad — in Munich under Carl Marr, and later in Paris at the Académie Julian and the École des Beaux-Arts. He is remembered as a descendant of Francis Scott Key.
After a decade in Europe, Henshaw settled in New York City in 1914, where he lived for twenty years while keeping part-time studios in Indianapolis and Chicago. In 1934 he relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, while retaining a summer residence in the Brown County art colony of Indiana. He died in 1946 and is buried in Windfall.
He is best known for atmospheric, tonally subdued pastels and oils — cityscapes of New York, Baltimore, Chicago, and European ports, along with portraits noted for capturing fleeting expression.
Timeline
- 1880 — Born in Windfall, Indiana.
- 1901 — Studies under J. Ottis Adams at the Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis.
- 1902 — Studies with Carl Marr in Munich.
- 1902–1912 — Trains in Paris (Académie Julian, École des Beaux-Arts, Académie Delécluse).
- 1908–1915 — "Sepia drawings" period.
- 1911 — Changes surname spelling from Hinshaw to Henshaw.
- 1914–1934 — Based in New York City; studios also in Indianapolis and Chicago.
- 1916–1927 — Pastel period — cityscapes and river scenes.
- 1930–1936 — Portrait period.
- 1934 — Moves to Baltimore, Maryland; keeps a summer home in Brown County, Indiana.
- 1936–1946 — "Mystical paintings" period.
- 1946 — Dies; buried in Windfall, Indiana.
Provenance & Collections Notes
- South Bend Art Museum holds Hudson River Scene, gifted by Mrs. Glen Cooper Henshaw (Accession 1957.15.1).
- Art Museum of Greater Lafayette holds an early sepia drawing, Portrait of Richard B. Gruelle (1910).
- Numerous pastels have passed through auction houses including Rago/Spanierman and Fine Estate Art, several with Hoosier Salon exhibition history.
- A 1920 painting stolen from the Tipton County Public Library remains missing.
