Portrait of Angelina Beloff 1909

Diego Rivera painted this portrait of Angelina Beloff using oil on canvas. You can almost feel him working through his thoughts and feelings with each brushstroke. There’s a muted quality to the colors that feels intimate, like a personal reflection. The paint isn’t showy or trying too hard; it's more about capturing a mood. Look at the way the white of her shirt seems to blend into the background. The brushwork is visible, not fussed over but purposeful. Rivera allows the paint to have its own voice. The way Beloff’s hand gently holds the necklace, it tells a story all its own. It’s a portrait but it’s also an open question, a suggestion. Rivera, like many artists, seemed to me to understand that art doesn't have to be loud to be profound.