Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Henri, Duc D’Orléans 2014

Kehinde Wiley's painting presents a portrait of Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Henri, Duc D’Orléans with oil on canvas. The surface of the painting is remarkably smooth, almost like a photograph, but the material richness of the oil paint is still evident. The process of artmaking feels like a layering of different styles. The painting shows a guy in a sports jacket with vines growing on it, against a patterned backdrop. Those vines twisting around the figure create a wildness that contrasts with the formality of portraiture. I’m struck by the light reflecting off the jacket, which is rendered with such precision. Wiley directs our attention to the ways we construct meaning through images and symbols. Wiley's work reminds me a bit of David Hockney’s portraits, but with a twist, updating the genre for our times. Ultimately, this piece, like all great art, invites us to bring our own experiences and perspectives to the table.