Comtesse Robert de Pourtalès, née Marie Elisabeth van Rijck 1914

Philip Alexius de László painted Comtesse Robert de Pourtalès, née Marie Elisabeth van Rijck with oil. The artist's approach to mark making is visible in the blending and softening of edges, which speaks to a fluid, adaptable process. The painting’s surface has a velvety texture, achieved through thin, almost translucent layers of paint, particularly evident in the background. Look at how the colors subtly shift and blend into one another, creating a dreamlike quality. The artist uses a limited palette, mostly earth tones, to shape our emotional experience of the artwork. Then, there’s this little dab of blue on her hand – it's like a tiny spark of life, contrasting with the rest of the muted tones, suggesting that even within formality, there is room for individuality. This work reminds me of Whistler's portraits, with their emphasis on mood and subtle color harmonies, suggesting that art is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.