Lot Essay
Portrait of Marcia Anne M. Tucker, a commissioned work of 1926, possesses several typical features of Robert Henri's style--a rich palette against a dark background, a dearth of props and setting details and an emphasis on the personality of the sitter. The portrayal of this pretty young woman with a book in one hand reveals a certain sense of serenity and quiet contentment. As the following words of the artist indicate, Robert Henri sought to express something of the inner character of each of the sitters. "An interest in the subject; something you want to say definitely about the subject; this is the first condition of a portrait. The processes of painting spring from this interest, this definite thing to be said. Completion does not depend on material representation. The work is done when that special thing has been said." (R. Henri, The Art Spirit, New York, 1984, p. 20)