“Portrait of Jack Cuddihy,” created by Robert Henri in 1926, is an exemplification of American Realism within the genre of portraiture. The artwork depicts a young boy named Jack Cuddihy, captured with an acute sense of realism and attention to detail, characteristic of the American Realist movement.
In the artwork, the young boy stands confidently, dressed in a blue outfit complemented by a gray double-breasted coat, and white socks with black shoes. His gentle expression is highlighted against a dark, somber background, which draws the viewer’s focus directly onto his visage and attire. The boy’s straight posture and the careful rendering of his features and clothing reflect Henri’s ability to convey both personality and the essence of childhood through his brushstrokes. The overall composition and execution denote a period commitment to realism and individualism, capturing an unembellished and sincere likeness of the subject.
