The Sisters Zénaïde And Charlotte Bonaparte 2014

Kehinde Wiley created "The Sisters Zénaïde And Charlotte Bonaparte" by engaging with historical portraiture and updating it for a contemporary context. Wiley is known for replacing European aristocratic figures with young Black men and women, thereby questioning traditional power structures in art. In this painting, two young Black women are depicted against an ornate, decorative background, reminiscent of classical portraiture. The reference to Zénaïde and Charlotte Bonaparte, Napoleon’s nieces, invites us to consider how race, gender, and power intersect. By portraying these women in a style typically reserved for European nobility, Wiley addresses the historical exclusion of Black individuals from mainstream artistic representation. The women's modern clothing and relaxed poses offer a counter-narrative to the often rigid and formal depictions of historical figures. Wiley once said, "By painting black bodies, I’m participating in an argument about what is considered to be of value, of importance." This piece challenges us to reflect on whose stories are told and remembered, urging a more inclusive and representative visual culture.