Laughing Gypsy Girl 1915

Robert Henri painted Laughing Gypsy Girl, we don’t know exactly when, but it’s oil on canvas. The color palette is earthy, with muted greens, browns, and of course, that vibrant blush on her cheeks. It feels like Henri was really in the moment, responding to what he saw and felt, rather than trying to create a perfect likeness. Look at how Henri handled the paint, especially in the girl's coat. The texture is thick, almost sculptural, with visible brushstrokes creating a kind of map. There’s this tension between control and abandon. You can see how the paint has aged, with a network of fine cracks adding another layer of history to the surface. It reminds me of work by someone like Alice Neel, with that same directness and honesty. This painting really highlights the idea of art as a process. It’s about the artist's interaction with the medium, the way the paint moves and settles, and the choices they make in the moment. It’s a conversation, really, between the artist, the subject, and the materials.