Sylvester-Smiling 1914

"Sylvester-Smiling" is a 1914 oil painting by American artist Robert Henri (1865-1929). The painting is a portrait of a young African American boy, whose wide, toothy smile and bright eyes capture the viewer’s attention. Painted against a dark background, the boy’s white shirt and the subtle light that illuminates his face create a sense of depth and luminosity. This work reflects Henri's style of painting, known as Ashcan School, which emphasized realism and everyday life.