The Painting Session 1932

François Barraud made ‘The Painting Session’ with oil on canvas. It’s a pretty formal setup, isn’t it? Everyone looks so serious. The way the figures are rendered—smooth, almost sculptural, and cool in tone—gives the painting a detached, somewhat eerie quality. You get the impression that the process is very controlled. I’m drawn to the subtle transitions of color on the model’s body, like where the light hits her shoulder, or the curve of her leg. It is as if Barraud is thinking about how one tone relates to the next. These touches speak to me about his dedication to his craft. There’s a wonderful little triangle of light on the pillow next to her head. He painted it with such care, and it anchors the entire composition. Barraud has a clean style which reminds me of Balthus. Although painting may be a conversation between artists across time, Barraud is very much his own painter. He brings an intriguing stillness to the tradition of life drawing.