Henry Koehler

American, 1927-2018

Henry Koehler was an American painter celebrated for his refined depictions of equestrian life, field sports, and animal portraits. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he spent much of his career in Southampton, New York, where his firsthand knowledge of riding, hunting, and sailing informed the authenticity of his work.

A graduate of Yale University, Koehler began as an illustrator for publications such as Sports Illustrated, The New Yorker, and Vogue. In 1961, he shifted focus to painting full time, turning his attention to the visual poetry of jockeys, foxhunting, polo matches, and still life. His style fused the compositional discipline of illustration with a painter’s sensitivity to light and movement.

Koehler’s connection to his subjects was personal as well as professional—he rode, hunted, and sailed himself. His paintings were used in official posters for the Hampton Classic Horse Show over three decades, and in 1974, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp featuring his painting to commemorate the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Widely collected and exhibited, Koehler’s work is held in both private and museum collections. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 91, leaving behind a body of work that reflects the elegance of tradition and the thrill of sport.