Psyche Abandoned 2014

Kehinde Wiley painted ‘Psyche Abandoned’ in the early 21st century, a striking portrait set against a backdrop teeming with symbolic life. The vibrant yellow flowers, reminiscent of acanthus leaves, evoke classical antiquity and rebirth. Notice the woman’s clasped hands. This gesture speaks volumes. In religious iconography, similar hand positions signify prayer, supplication, or even mourning. Remember the sculptures of grieving figures from ancient Roman sarcophagi? The emotion is palpable through the ages. Here, Wiley reinterprets this posture, embedding it within a modern context and a new cultural narrative. The gesture taps into our collective memory, resonating with deep-seated feelings of loss, longing, and perhaps, abandonment. It reminds us of how the past is always present, subtly influencing our perception of art and life. These emotional undercurrents stir in us, demonstrating the enduring power of symbols across time.