Rubin Singleton 2008

"Rubin Singleton" (2008) is a portrait by contemporary American artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley is known for his portraits of Black men and women in contemporary settings, often juxtaposing them with traditional European painting styles. Here, the subject is depicted against a bright turquoise background featuring a repeating pattern of flowers, referencing the decorative aesthetic of 18th-century European portraiture. The subject's pose and clothing, however, are unmistakably modern, showcasing Wiley's signature style that reimagines historical portraiture through a contemporary lens.