Portrait of Thomas Anschutz 1906

Robert Henri painted this portrait of Thomas Anschutz with oil on canvas. Look at how the dark background almost swallows him up, with only his face and parts of his suit catching the light. Henri’s brushstrokes are so clear. You can see how he built up the layers, especially in Anschutz’s face, with these quick, confident marks. The paint isn't overly thick, but each stroke is deliberate, like he's sculpting with color. The way he uses light to define Anschutz's features reminds me of some of Rembrandt’s portraits. There’s this dramatic contrast that brings a certain intensity to the painting. But, unlike Rembrandt, Henri’s touch feels more modern, more about the act of painting itself. It's a conversation between then and now, a reminder that art always builds on what came before, playing with old ideas in new ways.