Tommy (Thomas Cafferty) 1924

Robert Henri made this portrait of a boy called Tommy, probably in oil paint. Henri’s thick brushstrokes describe the boy's bright orange jacket, giving it a real sense of volume. The light catches the planes of his face, and we can see the blood rushing in his cheeks. The black background feels vast and enveloping. I imagine Henri wanted to capture the immediacy of life, painting quickly to get that fresh, fleeting feeling. The way the jacket is rendered reminds me of Manet, but with a warmer palette and more painterly touch. With a few confident strokes, Henri manages to convey a child's open, unguarded expression, like he has just turned to face you. Painting is like a conversation between artists, where each brushstroke echoes those that came before.