James Henry Daugherty (1889 – 1974): A Pioneer of American Modernism James Henry Daugherty (June 1, 1889 – February 21, 1974) was an American modernist painter, muralist, children’s book author and illustrator who profoundly impacted the visual arts landscape of his era. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, he cultivated a rich intellectual environment shaped by his parents' dedication to literature and science—a foundation that would i…