East and West 1904

George Henry painted ‘East and West’ with oils, though we don't know exactly when. What I notice is the layering, how he's added thin washes of color, almost like watercolor, to build up the image. You can see how the brushstrokes create the texture of the dress, or the shadows of the wall in the background. Look at the lower part of the dress, how the paint seems to pool, how he moves the tones in a way that’s hazy and undefined. The whiteness of the dress feels luminous, as though he’s captured a real moment of light. It’s the kind of subtlety that can take your breath away. I think he’s onto something here, letting the painting breathe, letting the forms suggest themselves rather than stating them outright. I see echoes of Whistler in the muted tones and the interest in capturing an atmosphere. Like all good paintings, it leaves you with more questions than answers.