Alexander Agassiz 1901

Jules Joseph Lefebvre painted "Alexander Agassiz" with oils on canvas at an unknown date. It hangs in the Harvard Art Museums. I’m thinking about that pink gown. The artist would have been observing Agassiz up close. How did he feel about him? Did they chat about science, or art? I imagine Lefebvre building up the tones of the face, mapping the rosy complexion and the soft grey moustache. Building up layers. It is interesting to see his hand resting on the chair. The artist paints the hand as a moment of stillness. Painters are always inspiring one another across time. Each brushstroke is an echo of the artist's touch, inviting you to linger, look closely, and discover something new each time.