Van Dyck Reinterpreted

July 7 2020

Picture: Sotheby's

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

As AHN often features contemporary reinterpretations of old master paintings, I thought the following artwork might be of interest. The above painting by Kehinde Wiley (b.1977) made $350,000 (inc. fees) at Sotheby's last month. Art lovers will know that it takes direct inspiration from Van Dyck's portrait of Charles I, La Roi à la chasse, in the Louvre, Paris. Wiley's work La Roi a la chasse II (2007) is a continuation of the artist's fascination for Old Masters, and follows his reinterpretations of paintings by the likes of Frans Hals, Rubens and David.

As the catalogue note explains:

Wiley draws attention to Van Dyck’s regal portrait conventions & questions the constructions of authority that now appear as affectation rather than natural elegance & power.

Here is a YouTube video containing an interview with the artist as he presents his own personal view on interpreting and reinterpreting the Old Masters.

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