Nationality
American
Artist Dates
1909-1993
Preview
Date of Work
1934
Medium
Oil on canvas
Signature
Lower right
Collection/Provenance
Memorial Union Collection
Status
Displayed
Location
University House
Artist Bio
Henry J. Tanous, the son of Syrian immigrants, was born in Hettinger, North Dakota. He studied at UND, the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and the Minneapolis Art Institute. In 1939, Tanous moved to California, where he became an animator for Disney Studios.
Additional Information
During the Great Depression, Tanous was hired by the Public Works of Art Project to paint North Dakota subjects, such as the painting on display. Loading Ice Blocks is executed in a Regionalist manner comparable to the style of Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975).