Herself 1913

Robert Henri painted "Herself" with oil on canvas, and it now hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago. Look at how Henri builds up this woman's form with such visible, separate strokes, like he's sculpting with paint. The pink of her skin practically glows against the more muted tones of her shawl and the background. There's a real materiality to this painting – you can almost feel the texture of the brushstrokes. It's like Henri is saying, "Here's the paint, here's the process, here’s the person." I'm particularly drawn to the way he captures the light on her cheek, these small daubs of rose that suggest warmth and vitality. It's a gesture that speaks volumes about his affection for the subject. Henri reminds me of Manet, with his dedication to showing everyday life. Like Manet, Henri understands that painting is about seeing, feeling, and capturing a moment in time, not just about rendering a perfect likeness. And, ultimately, art is about that conversation, isn't it?