Young Anthony 1928

Robert Henri captured this young boy, Anthony, with brushes loaded with brown and grey hues, punctuated by brighter strokes of reds and oranges. I imagine Henri's brush dancing across the canvas, building up layers to capture the transient likeness of youth. You wonder what Henri was thinking? Was he trying to capture not just Anthony's appearance but his essence, that fleeting moment of childhood? The painting's surface has a luscious texture, it's really alive. The way he's rendered Anthony's hair with those wild brushstrokes almost feels like he's painting energy itself. Henri’s approach reminds me of other painters like Manet or even some of the Ashcan School guys, capturing everyday life with a certain gritty beauty. But Henri adds this touch of warmth, a tenderness that comes through in the soft glow of the child's face. Like all artists, they’re inspired by what has come before, adding their own spin, pushing the conversation forward.