Berna Escudero 1922

Robert Henri made this painting, Berna Escudero, with oil on canvas. It’s a study in contrasts, really—the way the stark, dark background pushes the boy’s bright face and outfit forward, it’s cinematic! Look at the materiality of the piece. The paint is thick, luscious, and loaded onto the brush. The artist is almost wrestling with it. See how Henri builds up the layers in Berna’s face and neck? It’s all about these warm pinks and peaches, juxtaposed against the cold blues in his coat, and the dark, shadowy greens of the background. There’s something about the way he captures this young person, like John Singer Sargent’s portraits, they really seem to see the person in front of them. And like Sargent, Henri shows us how painting isn’t just about representation, but about feeling, process, and really looking.