Punished Infante 2011

"Punished Infante" (2011) by Ukrainian artist Alexander Roitburd is a striking example of contemporary appropriation art. The painting is a reimagining of Diego Velázquez's iconic "Infanta Margarita" (1660), with Roitburd's interventionist additions creating a new, unsettling narrative. The original portrait's delicate, almost melancholic tone is disrupted by the artist's overlaid abstract lines, bold colors, and a giant foot crushing the infanta's head, symbolizing the weight of history and the ongoing power dynamics. This powerful commentary on authority and the legacy of the past positions the artist as a provocateur, challenging viewers to reconsider the historical context and their own interpretations of iconic works.