Alexander I, Emperor Of Russia 2013

Curator: Looking at Kehinde Wiley's "Alexander I, Emperor of Russia," created in 2013, one can’t help but consider his approach to portraiture using mixed media including acrylic paint. Editor: Whoa, the colors just punch you in the face, don’t they? That bold pattern in the background... it’s almost overwhelming, like stepping into a vibrant, chaotic dream. But I love how the figure stands out despite it all. She looks powerful, totally owning her space. Curator: Precisely. Wiley frequently sources his figures from everyday life, particularly young Black men and women, and then places them in settings traditionally reserved for European aristocracy. There is a deliberate appropriation and recontextualization happening. What this does, materialistically, is challenge traditional notions of power and representation. It addresses how we consume images and associate status. Editor: Absolutely! The title alone, "Alexander I, Emperor of Russia," sets up this immediate contrast. It makes you think about who gets memorialized, who gets to be "royal" in art. The juxtaposition is jarring but also so smart. She seems like royalty! But her expression is like “Yeah, I know my worth.” Curator: It's a conversation about production, labor, and class too. How much work went into emulating the opulent style of traditional portraiture, and how is Wiley subverting the value system connected to the canon? Notice the materials. Acrylics can bring that pop art, poster quality and high contrast associated with screen printing and commercial designs. Wiley then cleverly incorporates floral motifs often associated with domestic or feminine spaces, clashing the "masculine" and "feminine" realms, further disrupting the viewers eye, and by proxy, disrupting social norms. Editor: You put words to the shivers I was already having! I like how Wiley forces you to feel. I walked into it thinking one thing because of the title, but I walk away knowing my own preconceived ideas are dust! Curator: Wiley invites critical questioning. Editor: I have much to reconsider—about beauty, power, and the stories we tell. It gives you more than just art. It gifts perspective!