Orientale 1915

Robert Henri made Orientale with oil on canvas, at an unknown date. Look at the marks that describe the figure, how Henri uses broad strokes, like he's dragging the paint to suggest form, not define it precisely. I’m really drawn to the textures here, the way the surface feels alive. See the contrast between the figure and the dark background and consider how the weight and body are evoked with a kind of sculptural physicality. I notice the way the colour pools in the shadows, creating depth, and the lighter tones bring the figure forward. There's this one spot, near the edge of her left shoulder, where the brushwork is really visible. It feels like Henri made a conscious choice to leave the process visible, like he’s saying, “This is a painting, not an illusion.” In this way, it is similar to the later works of Manet. Ultimately, Orientale is an open invitation to see, feel, and think.