Fresh Portrait

Kehinde Wiley’s Dogon Couple (2008) is a large acrylic intended as a modern riposte to the “heroic portraits” of wealthy Europeans (such as the Rubenses). The ornate background (Wiley’s a huge William Morris fan) is meant to rebut and replace the backgrounds of paintings of aristocratic couples posing in rich clothing before their huge mansions, extensive grounds, and gorgeous horses. The Dogon people of Mali have a tradition of wooden sculptures of figures, from which come the stylized postures and hand and arm positions seen here. Of course Wiley’s intent is to ennoble the two young men and their Blackness, masculinity, and love in a contemporary way that the eye-popping colors and throne-like positions only underline. (For a dramatic inside look at this artist with the ambition and range of Rubens himself, check out his website at Kehinde Wiley Studio.)