Henri Somm

Henri Somm was an artist active between 1844 and 1881, specializing primarily in graphic media. The artist’s documented output represented in museum collections includes both drawings (3) and prints (2).

Somm’s subjects focused heavily on contemporary Parisian social life and portraiture, illustrating an engagement with both genre scenes and aesthetic trends prevalent during the late 19th century. This focus is evidenced by specific works such as the street observations A Parisienne Outside the Moulin de la Galette and A Parisienne on a Crowded Street, as well as the depiction of internal spaces in Three-quarter Length Woman in Profile at a Picture Gallery. The artist’s exploration of broader international influences is also documented by the work titled Japonisme. Somm also executed portraiture, exemplified by the dual-sided drawing Portrait of Marcellin Desboutin (recto); Sketch of Head (verso).

The verifiable record of Somm’s work is established by their inclusion in major institutions. Five of the artist's pieces are held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As documented works enter the public domain, the legacy of Henri Somm prints and drawings is increasingly accessible. Many institutions now offer downloadable artwork, ensuring that the visual record of these museum-quality pieces is preserved for future research.