Misty Effect, Paris 

Robert Henri painted this scene of Paris using oil on canvas. The rough brushstrokes give a sense of spontaneity, and the indistinct forms add to the misty effect. Henri’s technique involved working wet-on-wet, applying layers of paint before the previous one had dried. This approach, which was aligned with the broader aesthetics of Impressionism, allowed him to blend colors and create soft, hazy edges. But more than just an aesthetic choice, the indistinct forms that he rendered are a reflection of the changing urban environment, where the speed of modern life blurred the details of everyday existence. This painting is a physical record of Henri's interaction with his materials, while also capturing the social context of a city in transition. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is not just about what is depicted, but also about how it is made, and how that making reflects the world around us.