Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter, based in New York. He is known for his naturalistic paintings of African Americans. Kehinde Wiley’s portraits of African American men collate modern culture with the influence of Old Masters and incorporates number of art historic references.
Portraits have a tendency of being portrayed as powerful, virtuous and authentic, not only depicting a person or object to such detailed extent, but also by providing insight upon an artist’s psyche and values
Kehinde Wiley’s painting of ‘Napoleon Leading His Army Over The Alps’ portrays power and representation. Wiley has replicated Jaques-Louis David’s artwork and altered certain artistic elements in order to incorporate the element of race. Although most of the element of Jaques-Louis David’s artwork remains the same, the most striking difference is the costume both the models are wearing. Jaques-Louis David’s painting portrays Napoleon on a horse wearing a battle outfit from that particular time period. While, Wiley’s model is also wearing a camouflage outfit, he appears to be wearing a bandana possibly portraying a modern element to the painting. Although the two costumes are significantly difference whether it is the colour of both of them or certain accessories like the bandana – they both depict the time periods both these paintings were painted in. The race of the model in Wiley’s painting plays a significant role in the message of the piece.
In the past, the most traditional famous paintings that were showcased in art galleries were of the white, as symbols for wealth and honour. Wiley challenged that trend and chose models that represent the black community and gave the community a chance to be portrayed as well in order to show relevance. It is his way to show his audience that black people, too, can be the same, and do the same things as previous powerful and wealthy white people could.