Powerful Portraits explores how artists throughout time capture the likeness and story of figures. This theme extends the boundaries of portraiture by identifying and discussing emotions, personality traits, and body language found in artworks.
Kehinde Wiley, American, born 1977; Charles I, 2018; oil on linen; 96 × 72 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Gary C. Werths and Richard Frimel, Barbara and Andy Taylor, Anabeth and John Weil, John and Susan Horseman, Nancy and Kenneth Kranzberg, Michael and Noemi Neidorff, David Obedin and Clare Davis, Adrienne D. Davis, Yvette Drury Dubinsky and John Paul Dubinsky, Mrs. Barbara S. Eagleton, Hope Edison, Roxanne H. Frank, Rosalyn and Charles Lowenhaupt, Jack and Susan Musgrave, Dr. and Mrs. E. Robert Schultz, Susan and David Sherman III, Pam and Greg Trapp, Mark S. Weil and Joan Hall-Weil, Keith H. Williamson, and the Third Wednesday Group 27:2019; © 2019 Kehinde Wiley, Courtesy of the Saint Louis Art Museum and Roberts Projects
John Singer Sargent, American (born Italy), 1856–1925; Charlotte Cram, 1900; oil on canvas; 34 3/4 × 24 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Friends Fund Endowment, Museum Purchase, and funds given by Mr. and Mrs. John Peters MacCarthy; Eliza McMillan Trust, Bequest of Elsie A. Kuhn, Gift of Frederick Oakes Sylvester, Gift of Edward J. Costigan in memory of his wife, Sara Guth Costigan, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John Alden Sears, Gift of August A. Busch Jr., Gift of J. Harold Pettus, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Fleming, Gift of Charles F. Galt, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Shoenberg Jr., Anonymous Gift, Gift of Mr. Daniel Catlin, Gift of Miss Louisa Leete and Miss Clara Leete, Gift of William Henry Gruen, Bequest of Daniel Fitzpatrick, Gift of the Estate of Moses Soyer, Gift of Mrs. Daniel K. Catlin, Gift of Peggy Ives Cole, and the J. Herndon and Lida Wallace Smith Fund, by exchange 210:2017
Robert Henri, American, 1865–1929; Betalo Rubino, Dramatic Dancer, 1916; oil on canvas; 77 1/4 × 37 1/4 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Purchase 841:1920
Gustave Courbet, French, 1819–1877; The Greyhounds of the Comte de Choiseul, 1866; oil on canvas; 35 1/4 x 45 7/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mrs. Mark C. Steinberg 168:1953
Pablo Picasso, Spanish, 1881–1973; Woman in the Studio, June 10, 1956; oil on canvas; 51 1/8 x 63 7/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Weil 196:1957; © Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society, New York, NY
Kathe Kollwitz, German, 1867–1945; Lamentation, 1938–41; bronze; 10 9/16 x 10 1/2 x 3 7/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. 593:1958
Stirrup Spout Vessel in the Form of a Seated Figure, c.300–550; Moche, Peru, Early Intermediate period; ceramic with pigment; 9 3/8 x 5 1/4 x 7 3/4 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of J. Lionberger Davis 124:1954