Raquel Meller 1910

Julio Romero de Torres painted this portrait of Raquel Meller, with what looks like oil on canvas, at an unknown date. The mark-making is smooth and blended, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality. It reminds me that painting can be about creating illusions, not just documenting reality. The color palette is mostly dark, dominated by blacks and deep browns, which gives the painting a somber mood. I find myself drawn to the delicate lace detailing on her sleeve; the way the artist rendered the lace with such care, it feels like he's inviting us to look closely and appreciate the craftsmanship. It is a reminder that art is often about the process of looking. There's a stillness to this painting that echoes the works of Édouard Manet, but it's also clearly its own thing. Art is an ongoing conversation, constantly riffing off what came before. It's a beautiful thing.