Between 1909 and 1916, Robert Henri painted many portraits of Spanish American modern dancer Betalo Rubino (1893–1936), who rose to popularity in New York during the late 1910s. Henri used the loosely painted red shawl seen here to suggest stereotypical Spanish costumes in his portraits of singers and dancers. In their work, Henri and Rubino drew upon the American fascination with Spain and its historical ties to Islamic cultures. Henri’s exoticized portrayals of Spanish subjects appealed to American audiences. He was a leader of the Ashcan School, a group of artists inspired by the urban life and working classes of New York City.