b. 1882 d. 1971
Site Affiliation: James Fitzgerald – Rockwell Kent Historic Artists’ Home and Studio
Kent studied architecture at Columbia University and painting with William Merritt Chase at Shinnecock, and with Robert Henri and Kenneth H. Miller at the New York School of Art. During the summer of 1903, he apprenticed with Abbott Thayer in Dublin, New Hampshire, and in 1905 he made his first journey to Monhegan at the recommendation of Henri. Kent spent much of each year on the island from 1905 until 1910 and returned briefly in 1917 and 1947. In 1948, he bought back the house he had built on the island in 1906 and spent time painting on the island each year until 1953. During this later period, Kent’s political activities created a barrier for him on the island and he did not “take to” the community the way he had during his earlier years, nor was he universally welcomed.
Primary Medium: Painter, Printmaker, Illustrator, Author
Primary Stylistic Term: Modernist
HAHS Affiliations: Kent’s cousin Alice Kent Stoddard also used his Monhegan studio. James Fitzgerald would eventually puchase Kent’s house and studio. Kent and Edward Hopper were both students of Robert Henri.
Fun Fact: In 1907, Kent was told by the people of Monhegan that now that he had “a nest” he needed a “bird” and therefore he went inshore to bring back his “bride.” “She” turned out to be his friend George Putnam of the publishing fortune, the future husband of aviator Amelia Earhart.
Recommended Publications: Rockwell Kent On Monhegan (Monhegan Museum, ME 1998)