Elizabeth of Russia in Tsarskoye Selo 1905

Eugene Lanceray made this painting of Elizabeth of Russia at Tsarskoye Selo, and it feels like he’s sketching with paint! The way the sky is handled is almost like watercolor, really transparent and washy, which is a cool contrast to the architectural details which are more precise. But it’s the dress that really grabs me; it’s got this massive floral pattern, but it’s rendered with such loose brushstrokes, it almost feels abstract. I can really imagine Lanceray mixing up those greens and pinks, letting the brush dance across the canvas. Look at the way the light catches the folds! It’s all suggestion and movement. This kind of playful approach reminds me of some of Manet's paintings. It's like they're both in on the joke, knowing that art isn't about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling, a moment, a fleeting impression. It’s less about what you see, and more about how you see it.