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Joseph Henry Sharp was an American painter born in Bridgeport, Ohio. Sharp is known for his influence in the formation of the Taos, New Mexico Society of Artists. As a child Sharp was more interested in drawing and playing outdoors than academics. Sharp had impaired hearing for much of his life and eventually became deaf, after nearly drowning in a river in Ohio.

Sharp’s handicap did not prevent him from exhibiting great talent as a painter. Sharp enrolled at the Mckmicken School of Design in Cincinnati, Ohio. After receiving a foundation in painting at Mckmicken, Sharp travelled to Europe where he continued his studies in Belgium at the Antwerp Academy. Sharp stayed in Europe for a few years to work and study before returning to the United States.

In 1883 Sharp visited Taos, New Mexico, where he painted several landscapes and portraits of Native Americans. Since few, if any, other artists had visited Taos, Sharp’s paintings were extremely popular. The Smithsonian Institute purchased several of Sharp’s paintings and President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned Sharp to do more paintings of Native American life.

Sharp settled in Taos where he continued to paint and do illustrations for Harpers magazine. Sharp painted Native American at a crucial time in which the culture was quickly vanishing. Sharp learned a great deal about the culture and history of Native American groups. Sharp’s paintings are now in American Art collections across the United States. Sharp was often referred to as the “Spiritual Father” of the Taos Society of Artists. Do you think you own a painting by Joseph Henry Sharp? Contact us. We are the experts on Joseph Henry Sharp.