The artwork titled “Listening Boy” was created by the artist Robert Henri in the year 1924. It is an oil painting on canvas that epitomizes the American Realism art movement. Recognized as a portrait, this particular work underscores the artist’s skill in capturing the essence of the human spirit and the immediacy of the subject’s presence.
In “Listening Boy,” the observer is presented with a close-up portrayal of a young boy, depicted with a strong sense of individuality and emotional candor, which is characteristic of Robert Henri’s approach to portraiture. The boy’s face, the focal point of the composition, is rendered with soft, luminous skin tones contrasting sharply with the deep blues and purples of the background and the rich, warm hues of his clothing. His large, expressive eyes paired with slightly flushed cheeks suggest a moment of keen attention or introspection.
The boy dons a hat that tilts asymmetrically atop his head, contributing to an air of informality and youthfulness. The attire seems to be of a simple, perhaps working-class origin, with a red garment that drapes casually over his frame, accompanied by a green patterned scarf loosely tied around his neck. This attire not only provides a splash of color but also serves to highlight aspects of his personality and social standing. Henri’s confident brushstrokes capture the textures and folds of the clothing with vigorous directness, which, together with the candid portrayal of the boy’s face, imbues the artwork with a palpable sense of life and authenticity.
Overall, “Listening Boy” is a compelling example of Henri’s capacity to create portraits that resonate with psychological depth and convey the unadorned reality of his subjects.