Roberto

The father of the Taos school, Joseph Henry Sharp is best known for his portrayals of Native Americans in the early twentieth century. In Roberto, the spontaneous choice of a Native American child as a subject is compelling, as is Sharp's command of plein-air Impressionism. The softness of contour, the melting of form into its ambience and the self-conscious yet relaxed look of the subject gazing directly at the viewer are all characteristics of Sharp's mastery of painting in the outdoor light.