Spanish Girl of Madrid 1908

Robert Henri painted this “Spanish Girl of Madrid” with oils, probably in the early 20th century. The dark background really makes those whites and reds pop, doesn't it? It’s like a stage, and she's caught in the spotlight. Look at how he's handled the fabric of her skirt. Those thick strokes, not blended, but laid down with such confidence! You can almost feel the weight of the material, and that red just vibrates against the black. Then there's the lace on her sleeves – it's just a few dabs and flicks of white, but they read perfectly. It's like he's saying, "I know what lace looks like, and you know what lace looks like, so I don't need to paint every single thread." It reminds me of Manet, and his ability to capture a figure with such immediacy. Both artists know that a painting is not about perfection, but about the lively energy of the brush.