|
|
This webpage began as a painting (below) that hung on my parents' livingroom wall for a very long time, perhaps first noticed by me around the mid-1970s. While it did not appear to be anything old, masterfully done or of any significant value, we always admired the "impression" it gave of a street in Paris.
The atmosphere of the rainy scene brought back memories of a trip we made there some years later, and in fact I do not even think I associated the scene with Paris until after that trip.
When my parents died in 2007, we made sure to bring this painting to our house, and it has hung on our bedroom wall for a few years before we lately became curious about it; who painted it, when was it created and where did it come from?
The answer to "who?" was apparent as the painting was signed. And one would anticipate a quick search on the internet would produce easy documentation. Yet nothing of the kind. Apparently the "who, when and where?" discussion was of interest to others as well, but had produced little if any answers.
(The following is extracted from the only art discussion forum on the topic found.)
On May 20, 2009 someone posted the apparently first inquiry about Henry Rogers: "anyone have any info on 'henry rogers' ? a painter ".
The posting received
no answer, but did get a reply on September 11, 2009:
"i
also just bought a henry rogers painting and know nothing about him..
id love some help".
A couple months
later, on November 23, 2009,
another
posting adds a bit of information on the subject matter of the
paintings, being of
Paris like ours, but still asks the samne question: "I
have a Henry Rogers oil on canvas painting of Paris. I know nothing
about him and have had a hard time finding more of his paintings.
Have
you had any luck?".
The discussion continues the following summer, June 15, 2010, each time adding a bit of information, but failing to answer the basic question: "I have one also. Bought it in a starving artist sale near Los Angeles in the early 1980's. The same painting is on the internet It's also an oil of Paris. I can't find anything about him.".
This comment about "a starving artist sale" fits with my initial impression of the painting hanging in my parents' house... that it was a low-budget, decorator item, probably by an unknown, or even coming out of a mass-producing art factory.
This post got an almost immediate reply, on July 3rd, 2010, saying that a Henry Rogers painting was currently on Ebay: "I have a Painting it is on eBay Auctions item number 140422905965 end on Jul 08, 2010..." The poster pasted in the Ebay auction URL, but of course that link no longer brings up the auction image. However, embedded in the auction URL is the following: "Henri-Rogers-Eiffel-Tower-Paris-Oil-Painting-Framed"
Note the name spelled "Henri". Also note the subject - "Eiffel-Tower" - included in the painting. This evidence will become of clearer significance later on when we look at the range of the artist's subject matter. The same applies to the next post in the discussion, below.
Ten days later, on July 13, 2010, this was posted: "Hi everyone i just acquired a Henry Rogers oil Painting a street in Paris with a tree in the middle looks like stores on the sides and the Arc De Triomphe in the back.Cant seem to find info on him either."
By now we have a half dozen puzzled people, all searching for anything about the artist, Henry Rogers!
That fall, on November 30, 2010, someone with the appearance of knowledge and authority posts this:
"Well folks, I think it is quite important to agree on the correct spelling of the artists name as having only one letter incorrect can affect any Search you may try to do. To the best of my knowledge, the name is not Henry but Henri. He did indeed paint lots of Parisian scenes and quite well too! The art store (not there now) named EUROPA, circa 1982, in West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton sold some of his work. Just like you, I have not yet found any information on him but if I do, I will get back to this site and post it."
Sounds interesting, and we will return to this issue later on, but for now the evidence in hand suggests the correct spelling of the artist's name is "Henry Rogers" and his works are signed as such (see below).
But some maintain,
as follows, there are paintings by this artist signed "Henri
Rogers".
On January 30, 2011, a final posting reads: "Hello there. I actually have a Henri Rogers oil painting of Paris as well. People walking down the street, trees down the center and stores and possible a church on the other side. Have no clue if it has any value and not much info on internet. any information would be helpful!... "
And that about sums it up...a few people have paintings by Henry Rogers, all seem to be of Paris, mostly of a rainy street scene like that at the top of this page, and nobody has a clue about who the artist is/was.
We can, so far, credit only a handful of paintings to Henry Rogers. All are of Paris scenes and all painted in a very recognizeable impressionaist style using mostly a painting knife to apply color quite thickly, as well as to inscribe finer details (below).
 |
Painting
Knife?
"Painting with a knife is a bit like putting butter or jam on bread and produces quite a different result to a brush. Painting knives are excellent for producing textured, impasto* work and sweeping areas of flat color as well as tiny shapes of color. "Although there is a difference between a painting knife (right-hand tool at left) and a palette knife (left-hand tool at left), many people use the terms interchangeably. The main difference is, after all, that it's not a brush that you're using to paint with. "Strictly speaking, a palette knife is a long, straight blade or spatula that is used for mixing paints and scraping a palette clean, not for applying paint onto a canvas. A palette knife will have a completely straight or a slightly cranked (bent) handle. "A painting knife is most commonly made from metal with a wood handle, and has a large crank or bends in the handle, which takes your hand away from the painting surface and helps keep your knuckles out of the wet paint you've just applied." *Impasto is a way of applying paint, specifically a thick, textured application of paint where the marks made by the brush or painting knife stay visible. Impasto is evident in the work of artists such as Vincent van Gogh. |
To date, the following images of confirmed Henry Rogers paintings have been collected, although a couple more were sold at auction, but no images can be obtained.
(Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.)
 |
Painting #1 This painting hung in my parent's home since at least 1980. Where purchased or when is unknown. 16" x 20" Sold for c. $25.00 (estimated) |
 |
Painting #2 This was recently purchased by us on Ebay. Note this is the same scene as in #1, but from a position slightly to the rear and right. 16" x 20" Sold for $19.00. |
 |
Painting #3 This is one of a pair sold as an online auction in 2007. 13" x 11" Sold for 1/2 of $15.00 (for the pair). |
 |
Painting #4 This is the second of a pair sold on an online auction in 2007. 13" x 11" Sold for 1/2 of $15.00 (for the pair). |
 |
Painting #5 This was recently sold on an online auction site managed by Goodwill Industries, based in Florida. Auction date was March, 2011. The image appears to be cropped. 20' x 16" Sold for $127.00 |
|
|
Painting #6 This was sold on an online auction site managed by Goodwill Industries. Auction date was November, 2010. Listed as "Oil Painting - Paris - Henry Rogers". 24' x 20' Sold for $140.00 |
 |
Painting #8 This painting is presently listed on Ebay (4/7/2011) at a price in excess of $300! It is a duplicate of painting #1 (more on this follows). c. 20" x 24" (no sale) |
First of all, examining the color palette and painting techniques used on these paintings it cannot be doubted that the same artist prodiced all of them.
But the question of "who?" remains open.
Commentary in the discussion forum suggested works were signed by both "Henry Rogers" and "Henri Rogers". And that fact is quickly established by examining the works inventoried above, where images permit.
The signatures on paintings #1 (above, left) and #2 (above, right) seem a good match and support the name of "Henry Rogers".
The signatures on paintings #3 (above, left) and #4 (above, right) seem a good match and support the name of "Henri Rogers".
Painting #5 is signed "Henry Rogers" (see above). Painting #6 does not reveal a signature as no image was available.
For Painting #7 there us only a tiny thumbnail image to examine, but extreme enlargement suggests it reads "Henry Rogers", confirmed by the auction listing: "Lot 295: HENRY ROGERS MOULIN ROUGE SIGNED GILT FRAMED OIL"
Painting #8 (above) clearly shows the signature as "Henri Rogers" yet the signature much more closely matches the writing of "Henry Rogers" in paintings #1 and #2 than the other two "Henri" signatures on #3 and #4. If one were to identify the artist(s) by handwriting alone, one would have to say paintings #1, 2, and 8 were by the same man, using two different first names.
Here are some extracts from the discussion of Caroline Burnett:
Burnett and Rogers linked.
"I have recently come across an Moulin Rouge oil painting signed Burnett. ..... Cost me £9.50 for the lot. too damned elusive this Burnett makes you think dunnit? .... moulin rouge. Approx. 48 inches wide by 18 inches high. signed by a Henry Rogers. I paid $250.00 Do you think I got beat. Gilt frame all the works."
Burnett paintings are mass produced.
"We found a Burnett painting in the trash...hoping it was one of the stories that we would find a treasure in the trash I googled and researched. First, ask yourself why there are so many people asking about Burnetts here? They are mass produced for tourists..keep googling, look on ebay...they are a dime a dozen (although some people have the nerve to ask hundreds even $1000 look under complete and they sell for less than $100. The concensus is that more than likely they are mass produced by students for tourists...so no one is going to get rich off these painings and there probably is no Burnett, be it Caroline, William, etc."
Burnett Paintings
"I have two Burnett street scenes of Paris. Both are 30" x 42" including the frame. They were purchased at the same time over 20 years ago at a "Starving Artist Sale" in a mall in Albany NY for about $30 each. The signatures on the bottom right of the paintings do not match. One has a large capital B followed by small capital U,R and N. The last 3 letters are rather illegible and could look like a lower case "b" attached to a large cursive "n". The second painting's signature is much more clearly written. While the paintings are very similar in technique, the signatures are not similar at all. I'd have to say the two paintings are done by different artists."
Chinese Web page.
Dear all, followed this thread with great interest.
Luckily I received an email this morning coming from China with a link to a Chinese web site where you will find our "original" Burnett paitings, produced on "assembly line.
However - I own three Burnett-style paitings and honestly: I LIKE THEM." (The author did not post the website URL.)
...and more.
"All the best for you and greetings from Germany.
I recently purchased a "Burnet" and have read the discussions. Mine is of the Paris Street Scene including the Windmill on Moulin Rouge. It looks like paint was applied by palette knife rather than brush. it is signed Burnet or possibly Burnett with the first t part of the second. The person I bought it from said his friend had it posted on his wall for some time and because of moving asked him to sell it. It's nice. I'd like more info. though."
"I have collected seven of her paintings since mid-August to sit with one I bought thirty or so years ago. One source names her as Carolyn Curry Burnett. It is very strange because there is a very similar painting for sale in Oz signed J Burnett, and a Jan Burnett has published a book of using a palette knife, in the US.
Her daughter???
I don't care how they were painted - I just go for the glowing colours and impressionistic treatment."
"Burnett Oil Painting Paris Moulin Rouge. I actually bought my oil painting on a street corner in Paris - in 1989. I was told that the University Art students painted them for spending money. There were scads of them - many different scenes/asttractions - all pretty cheap. I loved how the paint was so thick on the canvas - and it reminded me of French Impressionism I had learned about in High School - when artists believed, different from oils that looked like photographs, that the paint brushes had a right to leave their mark on the canvas. The thick globs of paint add dimension. I've had this painting displayed in many military homes over the years. I just love it - no matter how cheap, copied or overly massed reproduced it is. It is a great memory for me - being in Paris and seeing all the art. I've been reading a lot on the net about these "Burnett" paintings; however, I have read of anyone actually purchising theirs on a Paris street corner. Interesting that you can buy a copy of a "Burnett" from a website: I have sent an email message inquiring about the cost of a similar painting to mine. I'll post here when I find that out. Cheers!"
This has a familiar ring, and one could probably substitute "Henry Rogers" for "Caroline Burnett" and not be far off the mark. The Paris connection, the painting style and the mystery as to the artist's real identity.
But the answers still cover a wide range.....everything from student artists in Paris to sweat shops in China.
And somewhere between the Paris art student and the Chinese sweat shop is the so-called "Starving Artists Sales", which feature mass produced, exceptionally cheap, BUT actual original oil paintings (above). While many shop these sales knowing they are buying mass-produced "decorator" items, like those fake antiques sold in major furniture outlets, the fact that these are real oil paintings actually produced by the human hand of an"artist", seems to have an extra appeal.
Of course the romantic appeal is heightened if one imagines some bearded, truly starving, Paris or London or New York artist, living in a garrett and eating his own still life subjects to survive....but is anyone really fooled?
So let us assume the paintings signed "Henry" or "Henri" Rogers were the result of some form of mass-production, like that shown above where an asian "painter" cranks out two identical artworks. Let us even speculate, although somewhat less likely, that these emerged from the Chinese art production industry, which is estimated by some experts to be producing 60% of all the oil paintings on the market today.
So are these "art", or a sort of replica craft, or downright fakes and forgeries? One commenter on the topic said "I would rather have a print of an original Van Gogh on my wall than an exact oil painting copy." But is this an exercise in art history or art?
What we are dealing with here is a marketpalce for "replicas", exact copies, often made using original tools and methods, and often sold as "museum quality." But are replicas forgeries? Certainly if they are sold as creations of someone which they are not, then "counterfeit" comes to mind, and rightly so.
But if a real human being applied his or her skill to a medium (oil paint and canvas) using traditional tools (brush and painting knife) to create a painting, is this less a "work of art" just because it is notTHE original work of art?
People buy replicas of Shaker furniture made today using materials, tools and methods like those used in the 1840s in Shaker workshops, and understand they are not "originals". But neither were the "originals"!
In the early to late 19th century, Shaker community workshops marketed to the world a line of chairs (above), advertised in a catalog (above, top right) and mass-produced by artisans who largely remain anonymous. Yet these antique chairs (above, top left) are considered masterpieces, command huge prices, and anyone would be extremely proud and happy to own one.
Yet they are ALL replicas....copied almost slavishly from some few originals first made somewhere by some Shaker village innovator.
So duplication cannot be the diminishing factor, and it seems to move from a discussion about art to one about antiques if we credit the creations of 200 years ago more than those of the last century.
A trite cliche states "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." And perhaps these statements from the discussion quoted above represent the critical fact here.
"...you will find our "original"
Burnett paitings, produced on
"assembly line.
However - I own
three Burnett-style paitings and honestly: I LIKE THEM."
"I don't care how they were painted - I just go for the glowing colours and impressionistic treatment."
But .... do we really have to assume these works are just the products of some art factory, perhaps on the other side of the world? Perhaps we should look deeper.
Most of the paintings we are examining portray the same Paris street, so perhaps more closely anaylzing these will prove whether these canvases were painted by an artist actually standing there, executing individual works, or just duplications made somewhere else.
The two paintings
that appear to be duplicates are #1 (above, left) and #8 (above,
right). At first glance there seems to be no difference, and certainly
the same hand created both, if you compare the white awning at the left
side of the image (see below).
And to add to the mystery...or perhaps the certainty...of who the real artist is or was, note that these "duplicate" paintings are signed by "Henry" and "Henri" respectively (above).
In order to understand the degree to which any of these works is "original", in the sense of being created in situ...a separate, individual event of painting on site... it is useful to create of map or plan of the street captured in these paintings. The schematic encompasses all the structures depicted, as a cumulative from each painting identifiable as of the same street.
|
 |
 |
And when we map out the content of these two "identical" paintings, we see that they are not identical at all, but were painted from two entirely different positions. If we take Painting #1 (above, left, top with viewpoint shown in blue) as the baseline, we see that Painting #8 (above, left, bottom with viewpoint shown in red) was painted from a position slightly further away and looking more to the right. The key is which buildings and how much of each is included, (see how the entire facing side and awning of the building on the right shows in Painting #8 and the angle of the curb by the trees, relative to the artist, confirms a position to the left and facing more to the right).
And one can notice that the people depicted are different in each. Plus would a replicator, working in a mass art copying shop, include buildings in one that do not show up in the other.
And whatever we see in the comparison of Painting #8 (above,left) we also see in Painting #5 (above, right) which includes the same content, but exhibits a rougher style. This painting is not signed, or at least the available image does not include a signature, but it seems substantially different in execution from Painting #8. Notice the people in #5 (above, right), and those in #8 (above, left). Those in #5 seem brush-painted, while those in #8 appear painted with a knife, as are others in this "Rogers" collection.
 |
|
|
|
And if one compares our recently won "Henry Rogers" oil, #2 in the inventory (above, left, bottom) it would at first glance be merely the left half of #1 (above, left, top outlined in red), and in fact the canvases in both are the same size; suggesting the artist just turned one of his stock of canvases from landscape to protrait mode and repainted the same scene from the same spot.
But when we map out the content of Painting #2 (in red line) compared to #1 (blue line) we see that in fact the artist has moved further away from the scene, now to include an additional building on the left, and bringing into view a flower stall with red umbrella at the end of the tree-lined median (below).
One additional painting, #3 and one of the pair sold at auction, appears to be also of this same street from near to the same position.
Again, at first glance Painting #3 (above, left, bottom) seems to be a portrait orientation of the right side of the same scene captured in Painting #1 (above, left, top, outlined in red). But on examination, and notwithstanding it IS the same scene, (viewpoint for #1 in blue on map) this painting was created from a position well forward on the tree-lined curb (viewpoint for #3 in red on map). Note lack of lamp post in this view, and to confirm the location, note the distant tree against the white building, background, right. This tree appears in all the paintings of this street except #2, which is oriented to far left to capture it.
And as sort of frosting on the cake, the street lights shown in these paintings (#1 at left and #3 at right) are near perfect matches for the ones still found on the Champs Elysees in Paris to this day (above, center).
In fact this modern image of the street (above, right) evokes the same impression as the Henry Rogers painting (above, left), or perhaps we should say the Rogers painting evokes the impression of the Paris street.
Given that two owners of Henry Rogers paintings show the Moulin Rouge in the scene (see thumbnail of Painting #7 in inventory above), and given that this would place the artist in a very particular spot in Paris, I decided to take a peek thanks to the technology of Google Maps, street view. The place where the artist had to stand to create Painting #7 is Boulevard de Clichy. which is a very broad boulevard, the wide median being a raised area within curbs and featuring lines of small trees studded with antique streetlamps (below).
While not a unique street configuration in Paris by any means, the coincidence with the setting for his Moulin Rouge paintings, plus its proximity to Montmarte, a center for artists and artistic creation, suggests at least a hypothetical connection. Note that the street lights on this street (above, right) are a much more exact match to the ones he painted (above, center) than the ones on the Champs Elysees cited above
The weight of forensic evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that the paintings signed by "Henry/Henri Rogers" were painted by an artist who stood in various positions at a pedestrianized street in Paris and created individual works of art. There is no evidence these are works from a mass-producing art "factory", and the apparent anonymity of the artist reflects his minor role in the art world, and perhaps the effort of a student or a sidewalk art entrepreneur.
The rest remains yet to be discovered.
If you would like to share your own observations, comments or images, feel free to email me: plord@nycap.rr.com
Created early April, 2011
The streetside kiosk was a place to post, and read, the latest
news. So this is where you will find the most recent
discoveries.
Submitted 4/13/11
New Rogers paintings found
The inventory of know Rogers paintings was expanded rapidly when an internet search for expired auctions using a wider variety of names was undertaken. Also, a visual search on Ebay using search phrase "Paris paintings" and its variations revealed some well hidden Rogers works, such as a pair of paintings reportedly by a "Hemi Rogers" (see below), actually signed "Henri Rogers".
 |
Painting #9 This is a 2011 auction item, one of a pair, listed as by "Hemi Rogers". The signature (below) is "Henri Rogers". 8" x 10" Offered at $100.00 (Not sold to date).  |
 |
Painting #10 This is a 2011 auction item, one of a pair, listed as by "Hemi Rogers". The signature (below) is "Henri Rogers". 8" x 10" Offered at $100.00 (Not sold to date).  |
 |
Painting #11 This is an Ebay auction in March 2011 out of Virginia. The item was listed as "Henri Rogers", the signature shown below. 24" x 36" Sold for $9.99. (A single bidder.)  |
Submitted 4/14/11
While doing a visual search for Henry Rogers paintings, I noticed this one (above) as having a similar pallete and somewhat similar style. It turned out to be a painting by a "R. D. Ford". But the interesting things about this auction listing was the additional documentation the seller provided.
The seller states: Regarding this artist, I sent an inquiry to an appraiser with the "Antique Roadshow" who works at Doyle Auction House in NYC and got the following reply:
|
'The artist who signed himself R.D. Ford back in the 1960s was probably Mexican, since this was the heyday of the Mexican painting factories. These factories produced decorative paintings to be sold in gift shops and furniture stores in the US. Paris street scenes were particularly popular subjects. Often these fast-working painters had real talent, and their paintings are often of excellent quality. Nowadays, this business has moved to southeast Asia, where labor is even cheaper..... I have seen this
signature before, and have never been able to find out anything about
the artist. Paintings by him and similar works normally sell in a range
of $300-700, depending on size, condition and general appearance." |
The possibility that many of the paintings inventoried above were for mass markets, and even furniture stores, fits. In fact the painting at the top of this webpage seemed to arrive on my parents' wall about the same time they got a new couch!
However, the skill of execution is not diminished by the intent, and the fact that these are not duplicates suggests an artist, or artists, working in situ, and probably in Paris?
Submitted 4/15/11
 |
Painting #14 This we got on an Ebay auction largely because of the subject, being Montmartre. Of interest in that it is described as "Brand new, never framed or sold". The signature is not completely "right" for a Henry Rogers in brush, but it is incised and as such seems a close match in style. 12" x 16" Sold for $12.95.  |
 |
Painting #15 This is a current Ebay auction, listed as "Henry Roger". While the technique appears in the ballpark, the signature (below) is very rough and hesitant. It appears to be an attempt to copy one. 8" x 10" Listed for $9.99. (Unsold to date).  |
Submitted 4/21/11
Submitted 4/23/11
Submitted 5/12/11
 |
Painting #18 This was an Ebay auction item from New Jersey described as "Large Henri Rogers Oil Painting City Streets Signed?!!" It matches the street scenes painted by "Henry Rogers" and "Henri Rogers" taken from a slightly different angle, confirming the features appearing in the other paintings. Again, in style and color and content it matches "Henry Rogers" but is signed "Henri". Canvas estimated at 24" x 36" (dimensions listed are 29" x 42" including frame?) Listed for "$200". (Unsold to date).  |
Submitted 5/18/11
Submitted 5/21/11
Submitted 5/25/11
 |
Painting #21 This painting listing on Ebay for May 2011 from Pennsylvania describes it as: "Original City Scape painting by Henry Rogers." 8"x10". Listed at $75.00 (seller same as for Painting #22).  |
Submitted 5/25/11
Submitted 5/25/11
In the area of forensics, most experts will tell you that next to DNA and fingerprints, a person's signature is the best way of attaching a person to a document. After looking at the "Henry" and "Henri" signatures, I find that there is a striking piece of evidence that needs to be taken into account.
If you examine the two signatures below ("Henry" on left and "Henri" on right) you will see the initial "H" is created in two completely different ways. The H in Henry is made with three perfectly straight lines (see schematic below signatures). There are two vertical lines crossed by one horizontal line. The next letter (lower case "e") begins as a totally new and separate stroke. But the H in Henri is made with two NOT straight lines. The first strikes downward and then curves left, up and right in one continuous motion, making both the left vertical AND the hroizontal lines. Then he strikes downward on the right vertical but curves it around to the right to go right into the lower case "e" without a break.
The reason the "Henri" H sometimes looks like three separate lines, is that the connecting stroke between the lefthand vertical and the horizontal is weak...the brush almost lifting off the canvas. But if you look closely at the bottom of the lefthand vertical you can see the telltale (pardon the pun) tail of his continuing stroke, and comparing the two H's makes this difference very clear.
Also, the signature of "Henry" is much more vertical or even left-leaning while that of "Henri" is right-leaning.
Conclusion? Well, based on JUST this evidence, it would appear that the person who signed "Henry Rogers" and the person who signed "Henri Rogers" were NOT the same person.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Painting #23 "I have recently came
across your descriptive website about Henri Rogers. I have an oil
painting of his I had bought at a yard sale for $5.00 back in 1998. I
wanted to do some research about this painting or the painter himself
with not much luck.
"His
name is spelt with an I not Y, I do believe this is the correct and
original spelling of the painter.
"
Attached are photo's of my painting, I hope this
helps with your investigation in discovering all of his work."
24"x36". Reported by email (above). The "H" resembles "Henry" but it is signed "Henri", adding to the mystery (see handwriting analysis section above).  |
 |
Painting #25 The following three Rogers paintings were submitted by the same person who wrote: "I
read you profile of Henry or Henri Rogers with interest. In
1984, I had a member of the Hari
Krishna organisation call at my home in Hertfordshire,
England with 3 oil paintings of a high street in Paris for
sale. The painting match the examples shown on your web site.
I paid £250 for each of the 3 paintings and have often
wondered if they have any current value? He also sold me 2
other oil paintings Mequnus at £350 which I
attach. Be interesting to have your comments.
"The picture dimensions are 20" x 16" for all three paintings and on the back under the sales details is a job number 2888 for all three. " 20"x16". Signature
image not available.
|
 |
Painting #26 (See description for #25 above.) 20x16".  |
 |
Painting #27 (See description for #25 above.) 20x16". Signature
image not available.
|
 |
Painting #28 "I Just bought this yesterday at a thrift store. Paid $7.00. Appears to be both brush and knifework. Signed Henry Rogers." 16"x20" |
 |
Some thoughts - June 21, 2011 In my post above on 5/25 I suggested the distinct way the signatures were created indicated two different people. Yet if you compare the signatures at left, you see the classic "Henry" H on #24, revised with fresh paint that appears to change the terminal "y" into an "i" . The ghost of the "y" seems to still be there. Then on #26, the classic "Henry" "H" seems to be painted over with the classic "Henri" "H", yet the name is sigmned "Henry". The suggestion here is that Henry changed his signature to Henri, or that Henry changed his "H" to the style later seen for Henri, yet still used the name "Henry"? |
Submitted 8/1/11
 |
Painting #29 "My daughter just told me about your website today. I have been searching for any information about this artist forever! My sister also has a small painting of his. She thought it was mass produced and I was hoping she was wrong. I purchased my painting (as my first piece of art, right before I got married) at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, Massachusetts, 1985/86. I still love it to this day. It was among I think, hundreds of his paintings in all sizes." This frame is identical to the frame on Painting #1 and the signature appears to be a hyrbid, with the correct initial "H" we find in "Henry", but the first name written as "Henri"; again suggesting they are the same artist. 16" x 20" c.  |
Submitted 8/6/11
 |
Painting #30 "I picked this up in a junk store in Asbury Park, NJ, for $15.00. I thought it was a well done oil work and I just wanted to own it at that ridiculous low price. I like the workmanship, the layering, the lighting and the subtlty and variety of colors. I don't know much, but I guess I know what I like." 8" x 10"  |
Submitted 8/16/11
 |
Painting #31 Ebay auction: "Vintage-oil-painting, Henry Rogers - Paris? - clean." 20" x 16" Listed for $9.00. Sold. The signature starts with the same "H" as used by "Henri" but clearly is "Henry", confirming the same artist used variations of signatures and initial "H"s.  |
So what does this mean? It means this painting was NOT done in some mass art factory from photos, since no photo would capture the same scene as was painted. It suggests an actual artist making actual judgements about composition in the field.
Submitted 8/18/11
 |
Painting #32 Ebay auction: "...first purchased in early 1980s...." 24" x 36" Listed for $159.00. No bids. Classic "Henry Rogers" signature.  |
Submitted 8/19/11
 |
Painting #33 Ebay. No description. 8" x 10" Listed for $69.00. No bids. Photo of signature is poor but looks like normal "Henry Rogers". |
Submitted 8/25/11
 |
Painting #34 Ebay auction (New York): "...Henry Rogers original oil painting landscape Parisian scene...." 14" x 16" Sold for $15.00. Classic "Henry Rogers" signature even though image is poorly photographed..  |
Submitted 8/26/11
 |
Painting #35 Ebay auction (Pennsylvania): "...Henry Rogers oil painting...." No size given. Listed for $70.00. No bids. Looks like classic "Henry Rogers" signature but too small to reproduce here. |
Submitted 9/5/11
 |
Painting #36 " i just purchased a Henry roger painting at a yard sale today in california for 5 bucks. on the back it has a certificate of authenticity sticker with the name collectors corner, inc (see actual sticker below, left) and its also stamped on the frame.... I have no idea about the credibility of the sticker. i'm trying to find out if it is real or fake. I can't seem to find this company. searched the Internet and all i could find is collectors corner in Maine. they make custom frames. I sent them an email with no reply yet. I purchased the painting from a yard sale in oakhurst, ca. Thy guy said it belonged to his sister and thats all the info i got on it. He also had another painting, but by another artist. it too had the same sticker on the back." (Size ?)  |
 |
From
a 2007 art discussion blog: Question: "I have a painting that I think is a painting.. not a copy because it has raised paint on it. Its on a canvas and then framed. .... It has the round sticker of authenticity it says for insurance company to contact for value. On the sticker it says A 08468." Answer: "You have a piece of "production" art. The surface may appear as if what you have is an original oil painting, but you either have a mass-produced "hand-painted" (in a sort of assembly line type of production) piece, or you have a copy done on textured canvas.... The number and the fact the complany has "Inc." in its name is a good indication that is what this is. The sticker is to make you believe it is valuable. Not very valuable, I am afraid. " |
Submitted 9/8/11
 |
Painting #37 "I found your discussion while researching Rogers. I too have a painting which I picked up a few years ago at a flea market. I beleive my painting includes the Arc de Triumph and includes the signature ending in Y... I hope this helps your research to benefit all Rogers owners. I bought it for between 5-10 dollars..." 22" x 16" $5-10.00. Classic "Henry Rogers" signature.  |
Submitted 9/10/11
 |
Painting #38 "I have this small panting I purchased at Value Village for $19.99 a few years ago. Framed it's about 15 1/2 X 13 1/2 I bought it because I loved it." 8x10" Listed for $19.99. Classic "Henry Rogers" signature.  |
Submitted 10/12/11
 |
Painting #39 "I have been doing searches for artist Henri Rogers and was glad to finally see a site such as this one. I found mine at a Fort Collins, Colorado (USA) antique/flea market and have displayed it in our home on a floor easel. It is similar to #25, but still not quite the same. The domed buildings in the background are very faint and nearly blend in with the sky. The frame is wood and gilded finish with a number on the back 245015967. It is 20 X 24.I bought it already framed for $12 at the antique/flea market about 3 years ago. I love it! Just as a very nice piece it is worth far more than the $12 I paid for it! You can'teven buy a decent frame for just $12! The signature on mine matches perfectly the "Henri Rogers" signatures displayed on your site." 20x24" Sold for $12.00.  |
Submitted 10/17/11
 |
Painting #40 "I have this painting hanging in my house. I have had it since I bought it on my door. It was sold to me, sometime in the 80´s, by one who I meen to remember, claimed he was a student. I guess I paid around 25 pound. It seems like most of the pictures I read about on your site, have been bought in England, France or USA, but my picture is bought on my door in the western part of Norway (without any frame). Howeever, I like the painting, and have no intencion of selling it. Still so, I searched on the internet, to see who Henri Rogers are/were. There I found your interesting website, and that way got even more interested in the name Henri Rogers. Therefore I also send you a picture of my painting. I haven´t seen any painting quite like this on your site, though there are no doubt that it is one of the same kind as the others." From Norway, c. 16x20" Bought for c.$38.50. "Henri Rogers" signature.  |
Submitted 10/26/11
 |
Painting #41 "I have come across this painting signed by Henry Rogers( from what I can read), oil on canvas. I read your website and compared signatures of the artist now I'm even more interested. I actually bought it from a thrift store for 8 dollars! I don't have a measure so I used a dollar bill which is 6 inches.... I determined it to be 12x16 inches. The paint has chipped in a few spots." c. 16x12"  |
Submitted 10/29/11
 |
Painting #42 "We've had this picture for about 10 years now, my Father picked it up at an auction (about 10 years prior?) for around $10. It's singed Henri Rogers, and we've been very unsuccessful getting much info about it. Thanks for your webpage, it's the most info we've ever seen on the subject! " Size: 20x16" Bought for c.$10.00.  |
Submitted 11/03/11
 |
Painting #43 "I bought this painting 5 years ago at a junk store in Salem Ma. I thought it was an original, but I see another Moulin Rouge's on this website. I too couldn't find any information on the artist. I paid $60 for the painting. It's quite large. My husband and I are in love with the painting and have it hanging on our dinning room." From Massachusetts. Size: 24x36" Bought for $60.00. Classic "Henri Rogers" signature.  |
  |
|
Submitted 11/23/11
 |
Painting #44 "I have a picture similar to #37 with the perspective slightly different but signed henri not henry, I've also included copy of some writing on the reverse of the canvas which appears to be a date etc. Whether any of this is relevant I don't know, I bought this in a gallery in the Precinct at Fareham Hants (England) in about 93 or 94, no later as we moved away from the area in 95, it is definitely not brush work, and we like it a lot, I think we paid approximately £20.00 (c. $33.00) in the frame. The dimension of the picture is 50cm by 40 cm approximately (c. 20x16" a standard size for Rogers), hope this will be of some assistance, I am also of the opinion that these are mass produced, but to reiterate they are pleasant on the eye." From England. Size: 20x16" Bought for c. $33.00. Classic "Henri Rogers" signature.  |
 For the first time we find a concrete date attached to a Rogers painting. As seen above, the date "1/10/92" is written on the back of the canvas. From the staples, it appears the canvas was not stretched until it was mounted in the frame, so we may assume this date reflects that event, rather than the painting itself. But it would be very unusual for the painting, unframed, to have been created very much before the framing and sale. This suggests these are produced for the mass market, framed and sold in various retail outlets. The looser style of the white background buildings (see some of the ones previously shown) may be a later period for Rogers, as my impression is ours was bought well before the 90s. |
|
Submitted 12/01/11
 |
Painting #45 "Bought this at an estate auction in Ontario...looks like the artist was quite prolific...interesting to see where they have landed.. size...16"x20"..paid about $30 about ten years ago. There is a great possibility that my painting was purchased overseas originally by a pilot who served in the war...it was at his estate sale that I bought it ..he was 92 when he died....! " From Canada: Size: 20x16" Bought for c.$30.00.  |
Submitted 12/07/11
 |
Painting #46 "Thanks tons for the website with information on Henry Rogers paintings. My mom lives in Missouri and recently went to an estate sale. She often gets frames for me pretty inexpensively at auctions. I enjoy paiting, and this makes framing affordable for me. She had a quite large frame this weekend - with the attached painting in it. It's 24" x 36". It's very pretty, and as your site describes - looks like an original, painting knife, etc. My mother was actually given the painting by someone at the estate sale. The person that purchased it at the auction actually wanted another item than was sold with the painting. Since she knows my mom often buys frames, she offered it to my mom for free. " From Missouri: Size: 24x36" No cost...donated item.  |
 |
NOTE: I am no longer searching the Internet for Rogers paintings, unless they add significant new information, but am just adding paintings submitted to me by email. Please let me know if you own one or see one online. |
Submitted 12/08/11
 |
Painting #47 "In 1984 I bought a painting from (by?) H.Rogers. It shows a picture from Paris, and looks like those I have seen on the screen. It was not mounted in a frame, and was selled by young artists , which went from house to house. Location was near Stuttgart." Added later: "I had a restaurant near Stuttgart in 1984. One day, 2 students from the "painting academie"** in Stuttgart came in with some ( I think between 10 or 20 ) unframed pictures, to sell them. They collected money for a new gallery. We bought 4 of them for less money. One of them is from L.Inness the others from A.Smith, H.Rogers and the 4th signature is under the frame." **Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart From Germany: Size: ?? Bought for ?? (pending).  |
| NOTE:
While this painting certainly appears to match perfectly the
works of Henry (Henri) Rogers, the signature is a complete surprise. At
first look, it
does not even approach the typical Rogers signatures. But there is a
close
match in the style of the initial "H", with the cross bar extended
left, and if one recognizes this signature is in
block letters, while the rest are all in script, perhaps it does
"match". I suggest that this is an early student work by Henry/Henri Rogers, done in Paris but while he was a student in Germany. The evidence? The knife work is more crudely done, patchy in places, almost hesitant, as if being practiced but not perfected. There is rose in some of the clouds, which later are consistently pure white. While the treatment of the pavement is typical Rogers, the perspective lines appear wrong...the lines on the pavement and the edges of the lefthand buildings do not match, and in fact collide. He exaggerates reflected light in the windows, even using bright red along with bright white, while in his other paintings this is absent or very subdued. In the lower left corner, the wall appears to have been re-painted in a very patchy fashion, suggesting an error corrected. Is this proof? Not exactly. But it does provide another clue. Does the date of 1984 mesh with what we know? Not really, as his works were apparently in wide distribution in the States by that time, and to go from student to global marketer in a few years seems unlikely. But perhaps the students going door to door to raise money for a new gallery at the school were selling off accumulated students' works left in the academy? Conjecture.... but we await more evidence to prove it wrong. At the very least, the fact that this painting was sold in Germany, plus several from England reported earlier, strongly suggests Rogers painted in France, not Mexico or Asia. |
|
Submitted 12/09/11
|
|
Painting #48 Entry
is pending more information. "I have have had a hemi rogers painting in my apartment for 3 years before I googled his name and read your observations on him. I found this typical Rogers Paris street scene at a garage sale and bought it for $2.00! If you would like to see it go to Fontane gallery/2006 auction and it is the first thing you will see on their web site. Their gallery is in Pittsfield, mass. Some how it made its way to the Utica, ny area where I purchased it." Size: ?? Bought for $2.00. |
Submitted 12/26/11
 |
Painting #49 "Thanks for your Henry Rogers post. Very informative! I was bringing home some paintings from my mother's home and found a painting from Henry Rogers, so began my internet research and found your site. My mother is elderly with with dementia, so she wouldn't remember anything about the painting. My painting is very similar to #37 except that the structure in my painting is the Eiffel Tower, and the structure in #37 is the Arc de Triumph. My painting has almost the exact frame that is with painting #13. I like the painting, so it's a keeper, even though it doesn't have a high dollar value.. the canvas has a number stamped on it...8424 . " Size: 8x10" Cost unknown.  |
| Comment: I did notice something significant in this painting. On most of his paintings, Rogers puts leaves on his trees with a stippling technique, using a stiff brush, not the painting knife. But on this one he uses the knife to dab the leaves on. Also he uses a bit of rose color in the clouds, instead of the usual pure white. We see this on #47 also. The signature here is a bit different in the way it is painted, as in #47 as well. Could these represent a very early, or a very late, period in his work? | |
Submitted 12/29/11
 |
Painting #50 This is an Ebay auction from Florida, the item described as follows: "Vintage Paris Street Scene; Original Oil Painting Signed Henry Rogers. Framed in Original Frame - Framed size is 10 X 14, Frame is Wood, with a Gold and Linen Finish- In Excellent Condition! Back of Frame is Stamped "Mexico 8 X 10" (8 X 10 is the size of the painting itself, unframed) This Impressionist Painting was done utilizing a painting knife, thus the result is heavy application of paint. The Painting and the Frame is in Excellent Condition! It is an older piece, but the condition is like new. Look at my listing for the sister piece, same frame and size, signed Burnett. This piece is also in excellent condition. Found in a SW Florida Estate. " From Florida: Size: 8x10" Was listed at $19.99.  |
| This auction provides some
very interesting new
data. The seller has two "French impressionist" paintings; one by
Rogers and one by Burnett. Both are 8x10". Both have identical frames
(see below), which match many of the frames we see on Rogers painting.
And both frames are stamped "Made
in Mexico.. Frame 8x10" It
might appear that the stretchers themselves are stamped, which
suggests the paintings are made in Mexico. But a comparison of the
dimensions of the fronts and backs confirms that the stretcher are NOT
stamped. So it is still possible a framer bought Mexican
frames
to mount French canvases...but that may not the most "elegant"
hypothesis. We have seen reference previously that prior to the Asian
mass art production "factories", paintings of this type were being
produced in Mexico. However, it is hard to explain how some Rogers paintings done in Mexico could show up in Germany, England and Denmark. The most elegant hypothesis... that which best explains ALL the variables.... is that these paintings were created by a French artist, sent to other markets in the USA and Europe, and framed in cheaper Mexican frames for sale. Final judgement remains open pending some further clues. But these twin paintings have shed some very significant light on the topic. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Submitted 1/01/12
 |
Painting #51 "12x16"...string tag from 1980 $50...bought at Florida flea market for $10. " Size: 12x16" Cost $10.00  |
The owner kindly provided a picture of the tag and the text. This sales tag (above) provides some very good new information. It reads "Henry Rogers, Original oil, 1980, $50.00". Now at first it seemed the date indicated the sale date, it is now clear it is part of the painting's description, and places the date of the creation of the painting at 1980. How the seller arrived at that is not clear, but there would have been a reason. Perhaps this was part of a "Starving Artist" sale and the sellers knew who was providing paintings to the distributor and when they were produced. This date fits with other information we have that suggested a creation date of c.1980 for these works.
Submitted 1/05/12
 |
Painting #52 "I came across your site on a search for information on a painting I was given by my grandmother. It is signed, "Henry Rogers" and looks similar to those you have posted. The painting itself is approximately 24" by 19". I'm not sure where my grandparents got it from or how much they paid. I just know they probably purchased it at least 10-20years ago. I'm sure they paid more than $20.... Its a really beautiful painting." Size: 24x19" Cost unknown.  |
Submitted 1/15/12
Submitted 1/16/12
Submitted 1/25/12
Submitted 2/15/12
 |
Painting #56 "Attached is a picture of a painting very like the ones here. I might have a little more info about the history of these paintings for you. This was hanging in my grandparents' living room when I was growing up. I always liked it. I asked my grandfather where he got it. He said he bought it in Paris in the early 70s from a young artist selling paintings to tourists. I think he thought he got a really good deal because it was cheap and he was hoping this artist would someday be famous. Alas, not. Henry Rogers' works appear to remain paintings of Paris scenes intended for tourists. It's a lovely painting though. When my grandfather passed away in 2008, the painting came to my house and has been here ever since."  |
| This may be the earliest
purchase of a Henry Rogers painting we know of, and the fact that it
apparently was bought from the artist in Paris supports the hypothesis
that he did paint in Paris, and was not an Asian of Mexican "factory"
artist. The French origin of Rogers' works was also suggested by the
fact that others
were purchased in Europe, and one of the earliest (Germany - 1980s)
also was
purchased from a young artist. There is no doubt this painting is by
the same
artist, if one examines the wet sidewalk treatment, and the signature. Two artistic characteristics suggest this IS a very early Rogers work. The sky here is more realistically rendered, with grey on grey cloud treatment, while many of the other works use a flat blue-grey background with simplistic white clouds brushed in in separate places. Also, the lack of bright color, a signature treatment in his other works, suggest he was experimenting and not yet settled on a style. His buildings are nearly monotone and few of his people show the total saturation of color his other works reveal. He reserved color to the lighted windows, again suggesting he is experimenting with a presentation style. There is no reason to doubt Rogers painted in Paris in the 70s and 80s, perhaps later hooking up with mass production distribution networks, such as served the "Starving Artist" sales. One note....the frame is identical to several on his other paintings, and these were, without much doubt, made in Mexico. If it was framed in Paris, these may have been purchased from Mexican soruces, or it may have been bought unframed and framed later. |
|
Submitted 2/23/12
Submitted 3/9/12
 |
Painting #58 "Here is the Henri Rogers Eiffel Tower data: dimensions, 24x36 canvas, 30x42 framed, from location in Hillsboro, Oregon, price $102.50, acquired 2/17/2012." Size =24 x 36" Cost = $102.50.  |
Submitted 3/13/12
 |
Painting #59 "Our piece comes from South Africa. Our story starts with a house my wife and I bought around 1986 and while removing some rather bad piece of wooden wall divider we found two oil on canvas pictures, unframed. One rather abstract profile of a female face and the other, a signed “H Rogers” of what I believe to be Norte Dame. Like the rest of the collection on your site it is a scene from Paris and has many similarities (how people and trees are painted) to the other pieces of art work on your page. Size wise, it is 13” x 17”. The artwork did not go with our then tastes and so it found a new home with my now late mother-in-law. As the her estate is being wound up, the piece has again found its way back into our home 26 years later." Size =13 x 17" Cost = $??.  |
Submitted 3/13/12
 |
Painting #60 South african autcion site : "H.Rogers artist painting of street in paris oil on board " Size =?? Cost = ??. Image
too small to see signature or to provide larger image..
|
Submitted 3/9/12
 |
Painting #61 "Is this an original or replica? Its 24x36. How much is it worth?" Size = 24 x 36" Cost = $000 - free, gift. (Note: Since I am often asked about value, I have posted prices paid for items on this webpage at the bottom of the page.)  |
Submitted 3/19/12
 |
Painting #62 (in Sweden) "I stumbled over your webpage by looking for one Henry Roger, Painter. I was sufficiently impressed by the picture from this auction-site to look for the painters credentials. I am still impressed; also by many of the Rogers in your collection. Using a ‘knife’ for painting creates sort of exciting artistic effects. The picture is taken from an auction-site we call ‘tradera’ here in Sweden. You do not have this particular ‘painting’ with its particular perspective in your collection..." Size = c. 20 x 16" Cost = c. $10.00. (Note: Since I am often asked about value, I have posted prices paid for items on this webpage at the bottom of the page.)  |
 This
enlargement of a corner of the painting shows it was painted as a flat,
not a canvas mounted on a standard stretcher. Note how the brushwork
runs unevenly along the edge, which would not happen on a mounted
canvas, where a straight edge would be formed. You can even see the
pencil lines he used to "frame" his image so it would fit the standard
frame size (click here
to view). This suggests he turned
out many of these rapidly by just mounted them with tacks to a board,
then sent them to a framer who mounted and framed them. Painting #14
was purchased as an unmounted canvas as well, with just tack holes at
the corners.
|
|
NOTE (4/19/12)
#63 (4/20/12)
Found in Goodwill charity shop.
#64(4/20/12)
Goodwill in Florida for $10.00.
#65 (5/01/12)
Auction in UK for c. $20.00
#66 (5/8/12)
Purchased in Colombia, South America
Note the comparison of the three Moulin Rouge paintings by Rogers above. While the roofline of the building next to it in #40 and #43 are very similar, the roofline in #66, being the same building, is dramaticaly different. The actual roofline (see below) is and always was squared off, so his gabled roof shown in #40 and #43 could never have been painted from life. And the framework shown on the squared roof in his #66 is correct....but for the 1930s! If he is painting in the 1970s and 80s, as evidence suggests, this means he is painting from photographs? He never would have seen that framework in life.
Inherited...New Jersey.
#68 (5/10/12)
Inherited...New Jersey
This is unusual due to its proportions, and so far the only one like it in that regard.
#69 (5/25/12)
Jalisco, Mexico
This would seem to imply that Rogers was a Spanish artist. There is a tradition of Spanish artists working in Paris. This would explain why the scenes are Parisian and his paintings turn up in several European countries.
#71 (6/9/12)
12x16; Washington State
#72 (6/10/12)
16x20; Florida
#73 (6/27/12)
Found in trash near Boston, Mass.
(Frame is Mexican and identical to others used.)
#74 (7/4/12)
Wisconsin, inherited.
| |
No More Additions: I have decided to close the site to new additions. There is enough information here for anyone with an interest, and I am always happy to correspond via email with anyone with questions or comments on the topic. Email me at the link below Email to: plord@nycap.rr.com |
Be sure and check the sub-page on Painting #14 at this link to get a much better insight into the world of "production" art, i.e. art created purely for sale in the mass market, not for the act of creation itself.
Some are asking "What is my painting worth?"
First of all, in the world of art, an item is worth what someone wants to pay for it. So our best indicator of potential values is to look at a similar work and see what it sold for. One problem with Rogers paintings is many were sold for less than the value of the frame, and others were found with the trash, while others sold for over $100.00.
The other problems with predicting price is some of the smaller paintings, under 12 inches, sold for $20, while some of the largest, over 48 inches, sold for as little as $9.
Of the paintings on this website where a sale price was given, it breaks down this way:
$0 - $5 = 9 items (this includes free or found items).
$5 - $10 = 12 items.
$10 - $15 = 6 items.
$15 - $20 = 3 items.
$20 - $25 = 3 items.
$25 - $30 = 1 item.
$30 - $35 = 2 items.
$45 - $50 = 1 item.
$55 - $60 = 1 item.
$70 - $75 = 1 item.
$100 - $105 = 1 item.
$125 - $130 = 3 items.
$135 - $140 = 1 item.
$ 295 - $300 = 1 item.
Appraisers often value an object by what it would cost to replace it with another similar one. Based on this, I would suggest the value of any Rogers painting would generally be under $20.00. It is easy to find comparable works by him for between $9.00 and $20.00.