Portrait of Doris Trautman 1928

Robert Henri painted this portrait of Doris Trautman with oil on canvas. See how the loose brushstrokes and thick layers of paint, known as impasto, give the painting an almost sculptural quality. Henri was part of the Ashcan School, a group of artists who wanted to depict everyday life, often focusing on the working class. They challenged the traditional art world, which often favored more polished and idealized subjects. In "Portrait of Doris Trautman," the materiality of the paint itself becomes a way of emphasizing the real, unvarnished nature of the subject. The visible brushwork and the artist's process are laid bare, mirroring the honesty Henri sought in his depiction of modern life. Henri's use of industrial materials like oil paint and canvas, mass-produced and readily available, democratized art-making. By embracing these materials, Henri broke down the barriers between high art and everyday experience. The labor involved in creating this painting is evident in every brushstroke, reminding us of the artist's hand and the physical act of making. This focus on materials and making invites us to reconsider what we value in art, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.