Henry M. Stanley c. 1927

Alice Pike Barney's 1927 pastel portrait of Henry Morton Stanley, a Welsh-American journalist and explorer, exemplifies her talent for capturing nuanced expressions. Stanley's penetrating gaze and resolute posture, rendered in soft, expressive strokes, suggest a man of determination and adventure. Barney's use of muted colors and subtle shading creates a sense of intimacy, drawing the viewer into the subject's world. The unfinished background further emphasizes Stanley's presence, making him the focal point of the piece.