What’s precious inside of him does not care to be known by the mind in ways that diminish its presence 2017

Amy Sherald’s painting presents a figure rendered in oil on canvas, a material with a long and esteemed history. However, her approach sets her apart. Consider the flat planes of color, the stylized hat, and the striking American flag shirt. Sherald has deliberately engaged with the formal language of portraiture, while simultaneously drawing upon the visual vocabulary of pop art. The gray-scale skin tone of the sitter removes any possibility of racial categorization, while the overall composition evokes an almost iconic presence. Sherald’s choice of materials is not just about the image, but about the social narratives embedded within it. The making process here reflects a deep engagement with questions of identity, representation, and the very act of seeing. It challenges the viewer to reconsider how we perceive race, patriotism, and belonging in the American landscape, and what truly constitutes preciousness.