Marian Anderson, an American singer who was an important figure for black artists during the Civil Rights movement, seems to be stepping out from swirling clouds of warm yellow light to greet viewers with a loving gaze and slight smile in this portrait. She has her hands clasped in front of her jacket, which is textured with hues of blues and yellows. Her facial expression and body language, juxtaposed against the luminous light emanating from the painting overall, gives the impression that Anderson is inviting viewers in. She could step off the canvas and tell you a secret at any moment. Beauford Delaney adored Marian Anderson; he sketched and painted her multiple times throughout his life, looking up to her and everything she represented for U.S. politics and culture. Beauford often talked of the “religious light” he saw around him, an idea exemplified in this portrait of Anderson with her maternal, all-knowing expression, and the yellows so bright and glowing they could blind you.