Portrait of Princess Marthe-Lucile Bibesco 1911

Giovanni Boldini painted this portrait of Princess Marthe-Lucile Bibesco and the whole piece feels like it was done in one breath. Just look at those strokes, they're so full of energy! The color palette is muted, mostly browns and creams, but that only makes the princess's presence more striking. It’s as if Boldini laid down the background almost as an afterthought, and then with one swift motion, brought the Princess to life. The paint is applied thinly in some areas, allowing the canvas to peek through, while in others it's thick and textured, particularly in the folds of her gown. There's a sense of immediacy, as if the artist was trying to capture not just her likeness, but her very essence in a fleeting moment. In some ways he reminds me of Manet who has this similar way of communicating a presence with quick strokes and careful observation. But where Manet is interested in realism, Boldini is interested in movement and energy. Both artists show us that painting is not just about representation, but about feeling.