Dacia Carter 2012

Kehinde Wiley made this painting, Dacia Carter, but when? It feels timeless, really. The colors in the background are so lush and layered, it's like a jungle of leafy patterns. Looking closely at her face, you can see the paint is applied so smoothly, almost like porcelain, which contrasts with the wildness of the botanical wallpaper. I love how Wiley uses this traditional portrait style, then throws in these vibrant, contemporary twists. See the way the light hits her cheekbone? The white fabric of her gown drapes around her, adorned with its own floral patterns that pop against the leafy backdrop, it gives me a feeling that's romantic but also a little bit confrontational. This reminds me a bit of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's figures, who also claim their space with a quiet power. I think this painting invites us to rethink how we see beauty, power, and history, all tangled up together.