Helen Torr


Arthur Dove and Helen Torr. Courtesy of The Heckscher Museum of Art.

Helen Torr studied art in Philadelphia beginning in 1902 first at the Drexel Institute and then at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. She met Arthur Dove and began sketching with him, marrying in 1921. Like Dove, Torr’s subjects are abstracted from nature, although her work is characterized by stronger rhythmic, lyrical, and decorative qualities than Dove’s.

Primary Medium: Painting, pencil, charcoal, ink

Primary Stylistic Term: Modernist

Fun Fact: Helen Torr was known as “Reds” for her auburn hair.

HAHS Affiliations: Helen was married to fellow artist Arthur G. Dove. Also associated with Georgia O’Keeffe and Charles Demuth.

Recommended Publications: Out of the Shadows: Helen Torr, a Retrospective (2003)