Potrait of Arlette Boucard 1928

The artist Tamara de Lempicka painted this portrait, of Arlette Boucard, with oils, we don't know when. I'm so curious about the act of painting itself. How did this painting come into being? I can imagine Lempicka shifting and adjusting, trying things out, maybe some errors, and finally, a moment of intuition that brings it all together. I empathize with her, imagining her standing in front of the canvas. I can almost feel the texture of the paint, see how she blends those colors. I am particularly drawn to the scarf and the way it is draped around Arlette's body. The gesture here communicates both a feeling of ease, and a kind of studied poise and intention. Artists are always talking to each other, right? This piece is so particular to Lempicka, but it also reminds me of other painters, and how we inspire each other across time. Painting embraces ambiguity, and allows for so many readings.