Louis XIV Of France 2014

Kehinde Wiley made this painting ‘Louis XIV Of France’ using oil on canvas. The floral background is so eye-catching! It’s like a conversation between history and the present. I can imagine Wiley carefully layering the paint, building up that vibrant, repeating pattern as a backdrop to the main figure. I wonder what he was thinking as he was making this? Perhaps he wanted to merge classical portraiture with modern identity. The texture of the oil paint gives the whole thing a lush, almost tactile quality. The sharp lines and precise detail in the face contrast with the flowy design of the background, creating a dynamic tension. It makes me think about other painters who played with portraits like Titian, or even Warhol and his silkscreens. Art is an ongoing exchange, and I like how Wiley pulls from the past to create something totally new. It’s a powerful reminder that painting is always changing, and that there is always something new to say.