Portrait Of A Lady 2013

Kehinde Wiley made this portrait of a lady with oil paint, conjuring a space where the contemporary meets art history. Wiley's approach is to take the traditional form of portraiture and give it a fresh spin. Look at the way he blends the figure with this vibrant floral background. It's not just a backdrop; it feels like the pattern is alive, almost growing around her. The paint is applied so smoothly, giving it this larger-than-life, almost hyper-real quality. Notice the deep, rich tones in her skin, how they contrast with the cool blues and greens of her jewelry and the botanical motifs. There's something about the way Wiley uses pattern that reminds me of the decorative impulse in the work of someone like Gustav Klimt, but then the direct gaze of the sitter feels so contemporary, so present. It's this mix of familiarity and surprise that makes the work so compelling. He’s not just painting a portrait; he’s starting a conversation.