Sylvester-Smiling 1914

Robert Henri painted this portrait of Sylvester probably in the early 20th century using oils. It’s the kind of painting where you can really see the artist at work. I mean, look at those brushstrokes! They’re so present, so sure of themselves. Henri isn't trying to hide the process, and it’s really exciting to witness that kind of confidence. It’s almost like he's saying "Here, this is how it's done." The paint is applied wet on wet, in these juicy, expressive marks. And the way he handles the light, too – it’s so dynamic! It almost feels like a photograph somehow. But Henri doesn’t get bogged down in the details. I love the way he captures the boy’s shirt with just a few strokes of creamy white paint. So much is left unresolved, unsaid, and the painting is better for it. I wonder if Henri was looking at Manet, or maybe even Velázquez? I can see something of their influence in the economy of means and the focus on capturing the essence of the subject. For me, these portraits are an ongoing conversation with the history of painting.