Henry, Hobson Snr. Paintings

Henry Hobson Richardson was an influential American architect who was considered one of the great minds in the field of architecture during the late 19th century. Born in 1838, in Priestly Plantation, Louisiana, Richardson was part of a wealthy family. He was sent to Harvard University at the age of 16, where he didn't initially focus on architecture but rather on liberal arts education. His interest in architecture developed later and led him to Paris, France, where he was one of the very few Americans to attend the École des Beaux-Arts at that time.

Richardson's architectural style was not just significant in its own right but also because it paved the way for what would later be known as the 'Richardsonian Romanesque' style, a term that was after his death attributed to his designs. This style is characterized by massive stone walls and bold, simplistic forms, often incorporating medieval Romanesque motifs. One of his most famous works is the Trinity Church in Boston, completed in 1877, which is considered a masterpiece of American architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Throughout his career, Richardson designed buildings across various types of architecture such as libraries, courthouses, train stations, and residential homes. Notable among these are the Marshall Field Wholesale Store in Chicago and the Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail in Pittsburgh. He had a significant influence on other architects, notably Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, who both considered him a role model.

Richardson's approach to architecture was heavily focused on the unity of design, often integrating the landscape and the building's purpose into a cohesive architectural narrative. His work was not just about the aesthetic but also about the practical functionality of spaces, an idea that would heavily influence the 'form follows function' principle of modernist architecture.

Sadly, Richardson's career was relatively short-lived; he passed away in 1886 at the age of 47 due to kidney disease. Despite his premature death, his legacy lived on, and his style continued to influence architects and the design of public buildings well into the 20th century.