Jeune fille assise before 1904

Henri Martin built this portrait up with countless tiny brushstrokes, like he's weaving light and color into a solid form. The blues, greens, and pinks dance together, making the whole scene shimmer with life. I can just imagine Martin outside, squinting in the sun as he tries to capture the way light hits that straw hat. Did he labor over every touch, or did he let his hand move freely? Maybe he was thinking about Seurat, maybe he was just trying to find his own way. The way the pink of the dress is laid on, soft, scumbling almost, makes me think he's trying to capture the fleeting feeling of a warm day. Painters are always in conversation with each other, borrowing and riffing on ideas. We mix it all up with our own feelings and experiences, and something new emerges. That’s the magic of painting – it's always evolving, always surprising.