Henry Dousa (American, 1820 to after 1892)
French-born Henry Dousa (born circa 1845) is a somewhat enigmatic folk artist. Early accounts describe him as friendless, a difficult husband, and his works as “amusingly stiff.” He lived most of his life in Lafayette, Indiana, removing temporarily to New Castle, but returning to Lafayette where he later died. He worked in a variety of media, including oil, pastel, and watercolor, and he executed “portraits” of livestock, such as sheep and cattle, as well as houses and entire farms. Though there is, indeed, a naivete in his work, his attention to detail is considerable. His work is reminiscent of his contemporary, Ferdinand Brader (born 1833), though Brader’s work is more well known.