André Bénac 1936

Édouard Vuillard painted André Bénac in soft browns, blacks, and reds, like he’s trying to capture a feeling more than a likeness. You know, it’s like he’s not just painting what he sees, but what he feels about this guy. I imagine Vuillard standing there, brush in hand, mixing those muted tones, trying to get it just right. Look at the way he renders the subject's face, those gentle strokes that suggest a weariness. Vuillard really focused on capturing the intimacy of that moment. It’s like he’s inviting us into their private world, but maybe that's what all paintings do. Then, when I look at the surface of the painting, there is a connection between Vuillard and other artists, from the past and in the future. Artists, you know, we’re all just riffing off each other, remixing ideas and techniques across time. Painting’s an ongoing conversation, an exchange of seeing and feeling. And with this painting Vuillard left us something beautiful to think about.