Tender 1993

Bo Bartlett’s 1993 painting "Tender" depicts a solitary black man standing by a roadside fire, holding a shovel, under an overpass. His posture is strong and resolute, the scene imbued with a sense of quiet dignity and resilience, reminiscent of the artist's signature style of depicting ordinary laborers and their daily lives. The use of realistic details, such as the traffic cones and the smoke rising from the fire, creates a sense of immediacy and connection to the subject. Bartlett's work often explores themes of labor, identity, and the American landscape, making "Tender" a captivating and thought-provoking piece.