Henry Varnum Poor (1887-1970)

"I think paintings can die when they are not seen with loving eyes, and come to life again when they are."

Henry Varnum Poor was a well versed artist of many mediums, but his talent is most apparent in his paintings and pottery. Originally born in Kansas, Poor spent most of his time working in the studio at his home, often referred to as “Crow House,” off South Mountain Road in New City, New York. Crow House was designed by Poor, himself, and includes many of his own personal touches, such as original painted tiles. Poor designed other buildings and houses, like the home of his neighbor and friend, Maxwell Anderson. Poor’s work can be seen in institutions across the country, such as the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania State University.

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Henry Varnum Poor, Poppies. Oil and charcoal on canvas, 50x60.6cm. Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Boswell Jr., Peyton. Varnum Poor. U.S.A.: Hyperion Press, 1941.
Dickson, Harold E., Richard Porter, Henry Varnum Poor. The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, 1983.
Laura Incalcaterra, “Honoring the Crow House,” The Journal News, February 5, 2007, accessed on July 12, 2016, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5866883/honoring_the_crow_house/ (continued on) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5866915/honoring_the_crow_house_2/
Mauldin, Bill, Martica Sawin, Joan Simon Crowell, Henry Varnum Poor. Henry Varnum Poor. Rockland Center for the Arts, 1975.