Henry Darger
Henry Joseph Darger Jr. (/ˈdɑːrɡər/; April 12, 1892 – April 13, 1973) was an American writer, novelist and artist who worked as a hospital custodian in Chicago, Illinois. He has become famous for his posthumously recovered 15,145-page manuscript for a fantasy novel titled The Story of the Vivian Girls, along with several hundred drawings and watercolor illustrations for the story and two further works of literature.
Henry Darger | |
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Darger in 1971 | |
| Born | Henry Joseph Darger Jr. April 12, 1892 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 1973 (aged 81) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | All Saints Cemetery |
| Known for | Painting, collage, novel, pencil and pen drawing, sketching |
| Notable work | In the Realms of the Unreal The History of My Life Crazy House: Further Adventures in Chicago |
| Movement | Outsider art |
The visual subject matter of his work ranges from idyllic scenes in Edwardian interiors and tranquil flowered landscapes populated by children and fantastic creatures, to scenes of horrific terror and carnage depicting young children being tortured and massacred.: 106 Much of his artwork is mixed media with collage elements. Darger's artwork has become one of the most celebrated examples of outsider art.