Giovanni Boldini - Images of late 19th century and early 20th century fashions

I recently stumbled upon some portraits by Italian painter Giovanni Bouldini and instantly fell in love. The images contain a movement that you don't see in standard portrait painting. I accredit this to the whispy paint strokes that fade the subject and there clothing into the background. It seems that the paintings are also focused less on the actual person and more on the clothing (which in most cases is a beautiful flowing gown) and the movement of the pose. These two components combined with the medium and brush technique create a fluidity that bring his paintings to life. They are not so much portraits as moments in time,windows into a world long gone.

Visit http://www.giovanniboldini.org/ to find out more about him and his works.