Young Buck Of The Tesuque Pueblo 1916

Robert Henri made this portrait of a young man of the Tesuque Pueblo using oil paint, and you can really see his process. It's all about the brushstrokes! Look how they build up the form, especially around the face. The colors are muted, earthy, and warm, except for that striking red blanket, with its amazing zig-zagging black border. Those bold, angular shapes offer a counterpoint to the smooth modeling of the face, and draw your eye down the canvas. The brushstrokes are confident and loose. Henri's work reminds me of other painters, like Alice Neel. Like Neel, there is something powerful and affecting in his simple and direct style, showing us the poetry and dignity of everyday life. Ultimately, this painting invites us to think about how we see each other, and how we connect.