This painting is a portrait of Rick Boykin, Jr., painted by New Orleans artist Sara Caperton Knight. It hung next to Knight's portriat of Ted Tindell, Boykin's partner, in Mr. Tindell's home. The painting depicts Boykin’s masculine form as he casually relaxes outdoors with his shirt open in the courtyard of his Marigny home. Boykin is a cousin of the artist’s husband.

Rick Boykin, Jr. was born in New Orleans and was a graduate of University of New Orleans. He taught at Booker T. Washington High School and was chairman of the social studies department. At the high school, he was also a sponsor of the Closeup Program, a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Building Curriculum Council. Boykin died of AIDS very early on into the epidemic, at the age of 38 in February 1984.

The following poem was also written by their friend Mary Marguerite Gilmore (1934-2021) on the occasion of Boykin’s passing:

Good-Bye Rick (for Ted)

Death came on little cat feet
And stole your breath away
No one could know the silent thief
Lay purring at your feet
And with one swipe his shadow paw
Would break the binding thread
Life’s fabric is less lovely now
For this silent feline’s play

This object is a member of the following portfolios: