Sammy Davis Jr. Westportissa, Connecticutissa, 1953

There’s something about the way he’s reclining, totally at ease, that makes this feel less like a posed portrait and more like a quiet afternoon you’re lucky to glimpse. The black-and-white contrast is crisp enough to catch the texture of the lawn and the shadows playing across his jacket. It’s the

The outdoor setting at the Greene home gives this shot such a relaxed, mid-century feel—you can almost hear the conversation that must have been happening. The black-and-white contrast is gorgeous, and his reclining pose captures a side of him you rarely see in staged portraits. Arrived quickly and

The black-and-white tones are beautifully crisp, and you can really feel the relaxed 1953 vibe of him lounging outdoors. I’ve stared at the shadows on his face for a while—they add so much depth. This one’s going straight into a frame.