La Madrileñita 1910

Robert Henri made this painting of La Madrileñita at an unknown date with oil on canvas. I love how the energy of the model is captured with these fluid brushstrokes and bold colors. It feels like a snapshot of a moment, a fleeting impression rather than a carefully constructed portrait. Henri’s process is visible in the textured surface and the way the paint is applied so directly. Look at the vibrant pink trim on her dress and sleeve, how the edges are soft and blurred, giving the fabric a sense of movement and lightness. The physicality of the paint is so present, it's like Henri is inviting us to consider the act of painting itself. Henri reminds me of Manet in his ability to capture the immediacy of modern life. Like Manet, Henri challenges conventional notions of beauty, celebrating the everyday and embracing ambiguity.