Equestrian portrait of Michael Jackson's Kehinde Wiley | Art and design



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The man who would be king …

In the portrait of Michael Jackson commissioned by Kehinde Wiley in 2010, the King of Pop is presented in the guise of a monarch of yesteryear , on a horse, in a luxury armor

in the mirror …

It is not a respectful copy of the portrait of Rubens referenced in the title. The angel of origin here becomes a pair of cherubs, there are flowers and Wiley's horse has better hair.

Look again …

The most important is the Wiley switcheroo worked on the history of art and power structures. the old masters: a world ruled by white men, rich and upright.

You have your money …

It's brazenly kitsch and it has to be. Wiley's glittering career saw him portraying black street men, hip-hop stars and Barack Obama in this revisionist style.

Double trouble …

However, his work has an intentionally troubling advantage. His beautiful body models are both celebrated and uncomfortably objectified

Included in Michael Jackson: On the Wall, National Portrait Gallery, WC2, October 21

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