Cori Laughing 1907

Robert Henri painted "Cori Laughing," using confident brushstrokes that dance across the canvas, capturing a fleeting moment of pure joy. It's like Henri wasn't just painting a portrait but trying to bottle that feeling, that infectious giggle. The way Henri layers the paint is so alive. Look at those rosy cheeks – they're not just pink, they're built up with layers of color, like he's sculpting the laughter itself. The dark background makes Cori pop. It reminds me a little of Manet, a contemporary of Henri. I wonder if he saw Manet’s paintings, the way the figures seem to emerge from the shadows. Henri's brushwork gives the piece so much energy. It's like he's saying, "Art is a process, a conversation, a way of seeing." He leaves room for us to find our own meaning, too. It's like he's inviting us to laugh along with Cori, with the painting, with the sheer joy of making art.