Early Life and Background
- Born: September 27, 1859, Bridgeport, Ohio
- Died: August 29, 1953
- Parents: Irish immigrant parents; father was a merchant.
- Early Fascination: Developed a strong interest in American Indians from a young age.
- Hearing Loss: Nearly drowned as a boy, resulting in permanent hearing loss which significantly impacted his education and communication. He learned to read lips and carried a writing pad.
- Early Work: Worked in a nail factory at the age of 12 to support his family after his father's death.
Education and Artistic Training
- McMicken School of Design, Cincinnati: Briefly attended before financial constraints forced him to leave school.
- European Studies (1881-1886): Traveled to Europe where he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
- Return to Cincinnati & Mentorship: Returned to Cincinnati and worked alongside Henry Farny, though Farny discouraged painting Native Americans.
- Royal Academy of Munich: Studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Munich) and later with Frank Duveneck in Italy.
- Académie Julian, Paris: Furthered his studies at the Académie Julian in Paris, influenced by Barbizon painters and Impressionists.
Artistic Style and Subject Matter
- Realism & Portraiture: Known for realistic portrayals of American Indians, focusing on their cultural life and individual characteristics.
- Influences: Influenced by the Barbizon school and Impressionism, evident in his use of light and shadow and broad brushstrokes.
- Key Subjects: Primarily painted portraits of Native American warriors, chiefs, and everyday people, as well as Western landscapes.
- Commissioned Work: Received a significant commission from President Theodore Roosevelt to paint 200 portraits of Native American warriors who survived the Battle of Little Bighorn.
- Absarokee Hut: Built a cabin (Absarokee Hut) on Crow Agency land in Montana, allowing him extended time to study and depict Native American life.
Major Achievements and Recognition
- Taos Society of Artists Founding Member: A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, considered its "spiritual father."
- Smithsonian Institution Acquisition: The Smithsonian Institution purchased eleven of his portraits in 1901.
- Phoebe Hearst Patronage: Received significant support from Phoebe Hearst, who acquired over 150 of his works.
- Thomas Gilcrease Collection: A large portion of his work and personal collection were purchased by Thomas Gilcrease, now housed at the Gilcrease Institute.
- Recognition for Ethnographic Value: Recognized by curator W.H. Holmes for the accuracy with which he portrayed Native American physiognomy and costumes.
Historical Significance
- Documenting Native American Culture: Sharp's work provides valuable documentation of Native American life during a period of significant cultural change and displacement.
- Early Western Artist in Taos: One of the earliest European-American artists to establish a presence in Taos, New Mexico, contributing to its artistic development.
- Influence on Southwestern Art: His focus on Native American subjects helped shape the direction of Southwestern art and influenced subsequent generations of artists.
- Preservation of Portraiture: Created a significant body of portraiture that captures the likenesses and dignity of individuals from various Native American tribes, preserving their memory for posterity.
