Presented by the Phoenix Art Museum, Kehinde Wiley’s Memling features eight meticulous portraits referencing the work of the legendary 15th century Flemish master, Hans Memling. At a time when portraits were still rare, Memling was among the first to paint individuals who were not royalty or members of the clergy. Memling’s portraits of the increasingly influential powerful merchant class of his day represent a quiet revolution within Flemish society. Memling’s painting featured naturalistic settings which granted his sitters a veracity and life not found with the single color backgrounds previously used for individual portraiture while integrating this naturalistic background. The active gaze of Wiley’s sitters—a departure from Memling’s work—leads the viewer to think more carefully about the individual lives and experience behind the individuals depicted in the images.
VIEW IMAGES
MEMLING
After Memling’s Portrait of Jacob Obrecht , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 21 x 14 1/2 inches Framed: 32 x 23 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 35 1/4 inches
MEMLING
After Memling's Portrait of a Young Man , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding Panel: 20 1/2 x 13 inches Framed: 31 x 22 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 33 1/4 inches
MEMLING
After Memling’s Portrait of Maarten van Nieuwenhove , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 20 x 15 inches Framed: 30 1/2 x 24 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 37 1/4 inches
MEMLING
After Memling's Portrait of St. Benedict , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 18 x 13 inches Framed: 28 1/2 x 22 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 33 1/4 inches
MEMLING
After Memling’s Portrait of a Man in a Red Hat , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 16 1/2 x 12 inches Framed: 27 x 21 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 31 1/8 inches
MEMLING
After Memling’s Portrait of a Man with a Letter , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 14 x 10 inches Framed: 24 1/2 x 19 7/8 x 5 inches With doors open: 27 inches
MEMLING
After Memling's Portrait of Tommaso di Folco Portinari , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 17 x 13 inches Framed: 27 1/2 x 22 1/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 33 1/4 inches
MEMLING
After Memling’s Portrait of a Man with a Coin of the Emperor Nero , 2013
Oil on wood panel in artist-designed hand fabricated frame with 22k gold leaf gilding 14 x 11 inches Framed: 24 1/2 x 20 3/4 x 5 inches With doors open: 29 1/8 inches
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