Madame Rémy Salvaor 1901

Antonio de La Gándara painted Madame Rémy Salvaor with oil on canvas, using a muted palette that feels very intimate. The texture of the paint is so smooth, it’s almost like looking at a charcoal drawing, which emphasizes the process of drawing and redrawing that is fundamental to painting. The delicate strokes of brown and white create a sense of depth and movement, especially in the dress, where the brushwork becomes almost frenetic. Look at the way the artist renders the folds and creases, it reminds me of an undone or unmade bed! The way that Gándara focuses on the folds and drapes of fabric reminds me of John Singer Sargent, who used a similar approach to create a sense of luxury and glamour. But Gándara’s painting feels different, more melancholic and reflective. It’s a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself.