Hamza El Essawi 2011

"Hamza El Essawi" (2011) by Kehinde Wiley is a portrait of a young man in a contemporary setting, reminiscent of traditional European portraiture. Wiley is known for his vibrant and intricate paintings that depict Black figures in poses and settings traditionally associated with European royalty and nobility. The intricate background pattern, reminiscent of a tapestry, and the subject's regal pose, contribute to the artwork's powerful message of reclaiming historical representation and challenging traditional notions of power.