Study for Storm Tide 1903

Robert Henri made this painting, Study for Storm Tide, with what looks like oil paint on a small canvas, and the speed and lightness of touch are incredible. It's like he’s trying to catch a feeling, a fleeting moment, more than a photographic likeness. The way Henri uses the paint is really what grabs me. It’s not about hiding the brushstrokes; it’s about building the image out of them. Look at the sky – those creamy whites and blues aren’t blended smooth, they’re dabbed and swirled, creating a sense of depth and movement. Then there’s the water. See how he's used these short, choppy strokes of deep blues and greens, giving the sense of the water crashing against the houses. It’s raw, almost like he's wrestling with the paint, and that energy translates directly into the scene. I'm reminded of how much Henri admired artists like Édouard Manet. I think Henri would agree that art isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing a feeling, an energy, a moment.