Young Girl 1938

Romualdo Locatelli painted this portrait of a young girl using oil on canvas. Locatelli's visible brushstrokes give texture and depth to the painting, particularly in her clothing, where light catches the folds of her garment. The rapid, expressive marks seem spontaneous, yet show his mastery of the medium. But remember that even a loose, seemingly casual technique like this comes from a long tradition. Oil paints transformed the art world because of their capacity for both layering and blending. What's interesting here is that Locatelli’s chosen approach suggests a certain social context. He could have chosen to paint with meticulous detail, conveying status. Instead, he focuses on the figure’s humanity, recording her with immediacy, as though glimpsed for just a moment. Ultimately, the painting isn't just about what's depicted, but how it’s depicted – reminding us of the labor involved in its making.