The Marchioness Of Santa Cruz 2014

Kehinde Wiley made "The Marchioness Of Santa Cruz" with oils, using his signature blend of classical portraiture and contemporary flair. Just look at the way he plays with pattern! I can imagine Wiley, inspired by historical paintings, wanting to find a fresh way to depict his subjects. There must have been a lot of back-and-forth as he worked: building up layers of color, balancing the figure against that ornate backdrop, and making those flowers pop! I love the way he contrasts the smoothness of the figure's skin with the flatness of the decorative patterns; it creates a kind of push and pull. The way the model reclines so casually is an echo of famous portraits from art history. It’s a confident pose that communicates something about power, representation, and the way we see ourselves. It brings to mind the work of other painters, like Mickalene Thomas, who also use portraiture to challenge and expand our ideas about beauty and identity. It feels like art history is this big, ongoing conversation, and each artist is adding their voice, their perspective.