Portrait Of Glenn Ligon, Hermes 2017

Kehinde Wiley painted this striking portrait of Glenn Ligon, likely in oil, using a really interesting approach to color and form. It's like Wiley’s thinking, what if old master portraiture met contemporary swagger? Look at the way the deep blues and browns of Glenn's clothing almost melt into the dark, moody background. And then, BAM! The way the flesh tones pop, pulling him forward. It’s the dialogue between detail and disappearance that gets me. Wiley lays down the paint with a smooth hand, making the textures subtle. The way he catches the light on Ligon's skin is gorgeous, almost glowing. Then there’s this surreal turtle in his hand, maybe it's about art, or craft, or maybe it’s a wink at the slow, deliberate process of making art itself. This painting reminds me of Barkley Hendricks, another painter who knew how to blend cool realism with a sense of otherworldly presence. Art's an ongoing conversation, right? And Wiley definitely keeps the chat lively.