Café Lafayette 1914

William James Glackens made this painting, Café Lafayette, with visible, painterly brushstrokes and a palette that feels romantic and soft. I wonder about the decisions and actions that unfolded as he was making this work. Did it emerge intuitively? You can feel the hand of the artist in the way that the oil paint has been laid onto the canvas. It’s interesting to imagine what Glackens might have been thinking about as he painted this woman at the cafe, the tilt of her head, the soft glow of her skin and the way he captures her poised and self-possessed demeanor. I love the way the pale blues and peaches offset the splash of red on her lips. And that gesture of holding the glass, suspended in time. I think this painting shows how artists are always engaging with the world around them, turning it into something new and beautiful. It’s not just about seeing, but about feeling, thinking, and embodying the moment.