Lorette with Black Eyes 1917

This is Henri Matisse's painted portrait of Lorette, and looking at the brushstrokes, I think this was probably made in one or two sittings. The whole thing seems to be lit with an even light, and the paint is applied relatively thinly, with just enough texture to describe form. It's interesting to see how he's made her face appear shadowed on one side, creating a sense of depth, or maybe even a little bit of drama. I can imagine Matisse standing in front of his model, squinting, trying to capture not just her likeness, but something of her inner life, her gaze fixed and steady, as if in thought. I bet the choice of giving her 'black eyes' was one of the last things he did, to add a little spice and a certain je ne sais quoi. It makes me think about all the other portraits made over time, with artists constantly playing off each other’s ideas, and that’s how painting evolves, through this ongoing conversation.