Orientale 1915

Robert Henri painted this portrait, Orientale, with oils on canvas, and you can almost see him wrestling with the image. The dark background makes the figure seem to emerge from the shadows, illuminated by a soft, warm light. I like to think about Henri as he looked at the model, trying to capture not just her likeness but also her spirit. The brushstrokes are confident, bold. I can almost imagine him stepping back from the canvas, squinting, adjusting, trying to get it just right. See how the paint is applied thickly in some areas, giving the surface a wonderful texture? It’s like he's building up the form, layer by layer, searching for the right balance of color and tone. The curves are generous and full of life. You can see the influence of artists like Manet and Velázquez here. Henri was part of a group of American painters who wanted to break away from academic tradition, and his work continues to inspire painters who are searching for new ways of seeing and representing the world. Painting is such a complex and multifaceted medium, and there’s always more to discover, isn't there?