Portrait of Thomas Anschutz 1906

Robert Henri created this portrait of Thomas Anshutz with oil on canvas, and it’s all about the push and pull of light and dark. You can almost feel him feeling his way through this painting, letting it emerge through trial, error, and intuition. I love the way Henri uses that strong chiaroscuro. It's kind of theatrical, right? It reminds me of Rembrandt. It’s almost as if Henri wanted to capture not just Anshutz's likeness but also his mood, his thoughts. You know, painting is like having a conversation with the subject, and with yourself, at the same time. The way the tie seems so effortless makes me think of the many portraits I’ve looked at over the years. I suppose, in a way, we’re all in conversation with each other. Painting is a way of embodying our expression and embracing ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.