John-Churchill-Duke-Of-Marlborough II 2012

Kehinde Wiley’s *John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough II* (2012) is a contemporary portrait painting that reimagines historical figures in modern settings. The artwork, which is part of Wiley’s *“World Stage”* series, depicts an African-American man dressed in casual streetwear holding a baseball bat, a symbol of contemporary American culture. The intricate background is a stylized pattern reminiscent of traditional African fabrics. Wiley’s work challenges traditional portraiture by exploring themes of race, identity, and representation in a contemporary context.