Young Nude Seated on the Edge of a Well 1907

Henri Lebasque made this painting of a nude in an orchard, using oil paints and a light touch. It's all about color for him. Look at the way he builds up the image with these flecks of pink, blue, and green, like he's knitting a tapestry. Up close, you can see how physical the paint is, but it is applied lightly. Nothing is overworked here. The overall effect is dreamy, almost hazy. The woman's pose is natural, unselfconscious. I love the way the light catches on her skin. It's like she's glowing from within. I think the red of her hair is a real counterpoint to the cooler tones in the rest of the painting. It gives the eye a place to rest and adds a touch of warmth to the scene. Lebasque reminds me a little of Bonnard, another painter who was obsessed with light and color. Like Bonnard, he was interested in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life. And like Bonnard, he understood that art is about so much more than just what you see. It's about how you feel.