Abiel Mcintosh, After Pontormo 2010

Kehinde Wiley created "Abiel Mcintosh, After Pontormo" as part of his series "The World Stage: Israel." The series reflects the complex cultural and social landscape shaped by political conflict in Israel. Wiley references the Renaissance master Pontormo, appropriating the traditional language of portraiture to represent young Black men, thereby inserting them into art history. Note how the vivid colors and decorative patterns serve as a backdrop, contrasting with Abiel's direct gaze. This juxtaposition invites us to consider themes of identity and representation in a globalized context. Wiley has said, “It’s about making blackness visible as a form of beauty and power.” Indeed, Abiel's presence challenges traditional notions of power, and masculinity in art. The piece becomes a powerful statement about race, visibility, and belonging, inviting viewers to reflect on the politics of representation in art and society.