One of HNOC’s “Unknown Sitters” Has Been Identified

We’re thrilled to introduce you to Henry Kraak, the sitter in this portrait. Henry Kraak (1877–1955) came to the United States from his native Germany to show off his horticultural skills at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. After the World’s Fair he settled in New Orleans, where he met and quickly married Bertha Heck (1886–1955), another recent immigrant from Germany. Henry and Bertha established a flower business that would support their shared interest in horticulture and a growing family. Bertha ran the florist shop from their home on Eleonore Street, while Henry grew their nursery business in Metairie and became a leader in the New Orleans Horticultural Society, Deutsches Haus and Germania Lodge. Henry and Bertha died within a month of each other in 1955, leaving seven children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The portrait hung for decades in the Alpine Restaurant in the French Quarter decades before entering HNOC’s holdings.

Read NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune’s feature story about the exhibition and the reveal of this previously unknown sitter below. Do you recognize someone in the exhibition? Contact us at (504) 598-7171.