Henry M. Stanley c. 1927

Alice Pike Barney made this portrait of Henry M. Stanley in pastel, and it's all about the touch, the fleeting gesture. You can almost feel her hand moving across the paper, layering those soft, powdery hues. Look at the way she builds up the face with these quick, almost scribbled strokes, especially around the eyes – there's this intensity, a sharpness that really grabs you. Then, notice how the background is kind of smudged and blurred, like a memory fading around the edges. It’s this contrast between the defined features and the hazy surroundings that gives the portrait its depth. It reminds me of Whistler, actually, with that same focus on capturing a mood, an impression, rather than a strict likeness. This piece really speaks to the magic of art – how a few simple marks can evoke so much feeling, so much presence.