Jeune Fille Cousant Sur Un Canapé c. 1925

Henri Lebasque painted ‘Jeune Fille Cousant Sur Un Canapé’ with what looks like oil on canvas using a muted palette, with only the girl’s orange jacket and patterned skirt to add a pop. The process here seems to be about building layers of color to create depth and texture, like a slow conversation between the artist and the canvas. The materiality of the piece is really striking; you can almost feel the softness of the sofa beneath the girl, thanks to Lebasque's use of visible brushstrokes and the way he blends the colors. Look at the way the light catches the fabric of the sofa, it's like he's inviting us to sink into the scene. The texture adds a tactile quality to the painting, making it feel more intimate and personal. Lebasque reminds me of Vuillard in that moment of intimate domestic scenes, a quiet moment that holds a universe of unspoken thoughts and feelings. For me, this painting is about seeing the beauty in everyday moments, and finding new ways of experiencing the world through art.