Portrait of Alice Regnault 1880

Giovanni Boldini captured Alice Regnault with oil on canvas, using expressive brushwork. This wasn't just about representation; it was about the act of painting itself. The loose, gestural strokes seem spontaneous, yet they're carefully controlled. Boldini was a master of alla prima, or wet-on-wet, technique, allowing him to build up layers of paint quickly and create a sense of immediacy. Look at the highlights on her dress, achieved with thick, impasto strokes. The frenetic energy mirrors the social whirl of the Belle Époque, with its rapidly changing fashions and heightened consumerism. Boldini’s portraits were highly sought after by the wealthy elite who wanted to project an image of modernity and sophistication. The painting captures the feeling of the subject being observed, yet distant. The material qualities of oil paint—its viscosity, luminosity, and ability to blend—are all on full display here. By focusing on the making of the artwork, we gain insight into its cultural significance and its role within a specific time.