Kehinde Wiley: Equestrian Portrait of King Phillip II

Just when you thought the King of Pop's influence on our culture was starting to diminish... This year's Art Basel Miami Beach featured numerous pieces which were in tribute to the deceased king.

A favorite from the Art Basel...by none other that Kehinde Wiley himself. God I love this artist:



I know I've previously mentioned and reviewed Wiley's work, but he never ceases to impress me. His "Equestarian Portrait of King Phillip II" is very clever and fitting for the King of Pop, I believe. Allegedly Wiley began the work when Jackson was still alive, and it was a planned project that the two had discussed together after Jackson saw Wiley's work in the Brooklyn museum of art and commissioned him for a portrait. Naturally, Jackson often had himself painted as a King so the pop artist was a perfect match for Wiley's style of work. After a halt in the project, Wiley finished the piece after hearing of Jackson's death.

The swapping out of the Spanish monarch's face in the portrait seems as though it's done so effortlessly. In addition, the boldness of the portrait itself is one that would have made Jackson proud.