The Mischievous Puppy 1915

Emile Vernon painted "The Mischievous Puppy" with oils at some point between 1872 and 1920. Look at the soft palette, that fleshy pink. It's like watching a memory unfold, isn’t it? I'm drawn to the way Vernon handles the fabric. The thin scarf draped across the girl's hands looks weightless, almost dissolving into the misty background. Notice how the pink of the scarf is echoed in the girl's cheeks and lips, tying her to the playful energy of the puppy. The paint seems to float, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The whole thing makes me think of Fragonard, all those swooning, frilly confections. But Vernon brings a sweetness that's all his own. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, a remix of what came before, with a new voice adding its own particular flavor.