Count Potocki 2008

Kehinde Wiley made this painting, Count Potocki, with oils on canvas. It is interesting to see Kehinde Wiley take on the tradition of portraiture. His use of colour is so direct, I love the juxtaposition between the bright red of the sitter’s tank top and the muted, classical tones of the horse. Look at the way the light falls on the horse’s mane, each strand is carefully rendered, yet the overall effect is soft and dreamlike. It's almost like Wiley is saying, "I see you, and I see the world you could be in." The tension between representation and imagination is what makes it so compelling. Wiley's work feels like a conversation with artists like Titian, but with a fresh, contemporary voice. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s all about what we bring to the table, our experiences, our questions, and, of course, our interpretations.