Juanita (also known as Juanita in Blue) 1917

Robert Henri made this portrait, Juanita, probably with oil paint, and it feels like a study in process. You get the sense he's figuring out the form as he goes. Henri uses such thick brushstrokes, especially in her blue dress, that it almost feels sculptural. It's like he's building up the fabric with globs of pigment. The edges of her face, particularly around the cheekbones, are softened with blended strokes. This gives her face a gentle, approachable quality. I keep coming back to the little dab of red on her lips. It's a tiny detail but it brings the whole painting to life. Henri reminds me a bit of Manet in his interest in capturing fleeting moments and everyday subjects. Like Manet, Henri is more interested in the act of painting than in telling a story. It’s a reminder that art isn't about fixed meanings, but more about the ongoing exchange of ideas.