Kern Alexander Study I 2011

"Kern Alexander Study I" (2011) by Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977) is a portrait of a young black man in contemporary clothing. The subject is posed against a patterned background, reminiscent of traditional European portraiture. Wiley's work often engages with themes of race, representation, and the history of painting. This particular piece reflects his ongoing exploration of the African American experience within the context of Western art history.