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The Brooklyn Museum

Collections: Contemporary Art




Kehinde Wiley: Female Prophet Ann

Kehinde Wiley (American, b. 1977). Passing/Posing (Female Prophet Anne, Who Observes the Presentation of Jesus on the Temple), 2003. Oil on canvas mounted on panel, 96 x 60 in. (243.8 x 152.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Mary Smith Dorward Fund and Healy Purchase Fund B, 2003.90.2

Kehinde Wiley presents large-scale portraits of young black men as saints and angels, in poses inspired by paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In creating these monumental paintings, Wiley borrows poses, imagery, and titles from works by master painters such as Tiepolo (1727–1804). Dressed in their everyday clothes, the figures float over flat, brightly colored backgrounds suggestive of infinite space. By placing these "new" subjects within the context of art history, Wiley challenges the prevailing representations of black men in contemporary American society.

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