The artwork entitled “Sammy and His Mother,” created by artist Robert Henri in 1915, belongs to the American Realism art movement and is characterized as a portrait. This painting exemplifies Henri’s penchant for capturing intimate and emotive moments reflective of real life.
The artwork portrays a tender scene between a child, Sammy, and his mother. The child is depicted in the foreground with vibrant, curly hair and a vivid expression, dressed in a blue jacket. The mother, slightly shadowed in the background, is seen holding the child with a loving and protective gesture. Henri’s masterful use of bold, saturated colors, particularly the reds, greens, and blues, along with expressive brushstrokes, imbues the painting with warmth and depth. The mother’s figure, enveloped in dark tones, contrasts sharply with the brightly lit face of the child, highlighting a sense of care and affection. The foliage in the background, rendered with dynamic strokes, adds a sense of vibrancy and life to the portrait, further emphasizing the bond between mother and child.
