Matador 2009

"Matador" is a 2009 painting by Kehinde Wiley, a contemporary artist known for his vibrant and figurative works. Wiley's paintings often depict Black men and women in traditional poses from European art history, updating these images with contemporary attire and settings. This painting, in particular, references the iconic imagery of bullfighting. The subject's pose, his bold attire, and the orange and white canvas suggest the drama and spectacle of a bullfight, while the subject's modern clothing and the use of oil paint on canvas create a striking juxtaposition between tradition and contemporary life.