Francine 1921

Robert Henri painted Francine with oil on canvas, and when you look at it, you get the feeling of being right there with the artist in the studio. Henri’s warm palette gives us an intimate glimpse into the sitter's world. It's like he’s trying to capture a fleeting moment, focusing on her gaze, the flush in her cheeks, and the loose brushstrokes that define the planes of her face. The way Henri applies the paint, thick in some spots and thin in others, almost feels like he's sculpting with the material itself. I find it helpful to think about how painting is like having a conversation with the history of painting, and Henri was definitely having a conversation with artists like Manet, Velázquez, and Goya. Painters, right? We're all in this together, constantly building on each other's ideas and pushing the boundaries of what paint can do.