"African Child", acrylic on canvas, by Bishop Maxim, 2021

Among the traditional characteristics of African children are (a) the early maturity in self-discipline, (b) the aspiration for education, (c) respect for traditional values, (d) early search for identity, and (e) a wholesome spirit of cooperation and dependence on one another.

In his “Four Studies of the Head of a Black Man” Peter Paul Rubens explored a variety of facial expressions and poses of a black person. Using a single dim source of light, he created strong contrasts of brightness and shadow on the man's skin, varying these along with the different expressions.