Sir Brooke Boothby 2013

Kehinde Wiley made this painting, "Sir Brooke Boothby," layering a portrait over a decorative floral backdrop. Imagine Wiley in the studio, grappling with these patterns, these colors—the regal yellow, the lavender, the deep red. He's thinking about history, power, and representation. The patterns feel opulent but almost claustrophobic, buzzing with energy. The figure in green reclines with a cool ease, amidst that. Wiley's brushstrokes are precise, almost photographic in places, but then loosen up. It is like the tension between control and freedom. It's interesting how artists are constantly riffing off each other, across time. Wiley takes something from the past, flips it, and makes it new. He is playing with the rules. Ultimately, this painting is an invitation to see things differently, to question the stories we tell ourselves about who gets to be in the picture. It is a painterly conversation, and we’re lucky enough to eavesdrop.