Harold Heartt Foley (1878–1923) was an early-twentieth-century American painter, collagist and illustrator.
Youth and education Born in New York City in 1878, the young Harold Leroy Livingston grew up in a wealthy family.His father, George Leroy Livingston and his mother, née Ann Heartt were a high society couple in trouble and after a scandal, his father killed himself. His mother made him change his name to Heartt and then add the name of her second husband : Mr Foley He was a good student of art and quickly became a success as a painterSan Francisco Chronicle from San Francisco, California, May 1, 1899, page 3. and magazine illustrator.like the McClure's Magazine and Everybody's Magazine in which he gave shophisticated illustrations for the story "A Japanese Gentleman" by Catharine van Cortland Mathews (February 1903). The influence of Howard Pyle and Arthur Rackham is obvious in many of his works during the period 1900–1910.Several books and magazines illustrated by these artists are in the list of the books of his particular library in Paris, cf Elisabeth Schell Cragin papers, private collection. He aspired to participate in the Golden Age of Illustration generation. As he was fascinated by European history and arts, he decided to move there.Elisabeth Schell Cragin papers, private collection.
Europe In September 1906, in Malta, he married Elizabeth Schell-Cragin.The New York Times, October 4, 1906. Foley became famous as Harold Heartt for his illustration of Selma Lagerlöf's book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils published in New York by Grosset & Dunlap in 1907. The couple settled in Paris.
In 1908 he exhibited his works in the Paris Salon."Real art is shown in the Paris salon – Exhibition of the Societe des Beaux Arts One of surpassing interest" in : The New York Times, April 28, 1908
Well known in the "American colony",Lois Marie Fink, American art at the nineteenth-century Paris salons, Cambridge University Press, 1990 Harold and his wife welcomed and helped American artists living abroad, such as Arthur Dove.The American Art Journal – volume XX – number 4 – 1988, article by Ann Lee Morgan, School of Art and Design – Chicago
Harold Heartt Foley died in Paris in 1923 and was buried in Montparnasse cemetery.Heartt tomb, Montparnasse cemetery, division 15 (high), alley 1 (way).
See also The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
References
Sources Daudé, Romain (2026). Harold Heartt Foley 1878-1923, itinérances d'un illustrateur étasunien en France. Texte de conférence, Amitiés Franco-britanniques. ; ; https://hal.science/hal-05690287.
External links HaroldHearttFoley blog at Tumblr
https://www.gazlayfamilyhistory.org/family.php?person=6042