Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2018, American painter Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977) is one of the most widely recognized artists of his generation, best known for re-creating Old Masters works with contemporary Black subjects.
Take, for instance, his large-scale masterpiece Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps (2005): The painting is nearly identical in both composition and name to Jacques-Louis David’s Bonaparte Crossing the Alps (1800–1), but instead of the French general posed atop a rearing horse, it’s a modern-day Black man, dressed in fatigues and Timberland boots, against a decorative patterned backdrop. Through such paintings and sculptures, Wiley engages in a political act, acknowledging the omission of Black and other nonwhite figures from historical and cultural narratives — especially as seen through the lens of European portraiture — and introducing them as heroes in poses and positions of power.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Wiley discovered his talents as a photorealistic portrait painter as a child, refining them at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he earned his BFA, and at the Yale University School of Art, where he earned his MFA. His art draws from a range of influences; while his paintings are most associated with Old Master portraits, particularly in the Venitian tradition of Titian and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Wiley often sets his subjects in front of ornate patterned backgrounds that reference African textiles and Islamic architecture. In 2017, the artist was commissioned by President Barack Obama to paint his official portrait to hang in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Wiley has garnered numerous accolades, including the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts, the Brooklyn Museum Asher B. Durand Award for Artistic Achievement, the American Federation for Arts Cultural Leadership Award and the Pratt Legend Award. His works can be found in the collections of acclaimed institutions around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and the Zabludowicz Collection in London.
Find art by Kehinde Wiley on 1stDibs.
Early 2000s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
2010s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Cast Stone, Marble
Early 2000s Folk Art Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
2010s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Cast Stone, Marble
2010s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Cast Stone, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Concrete
2010s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Stone, Marble, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
2010s Contemporary Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Stone, Granite, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Kehinde Wiley Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Kehinde Wiley figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Artists Similar to Kehinde Wiley
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kehinde Wiley is an African American painter known for realistic portraits of people in heroic defeat or triumph. His photo-realistic paintings use a range of references from classical paintings to pop culture. He is best known for his paintings, but he has delved into bronze sculpture as well. Shop a selection of Kehinde Wiley pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Kehinde Wiley's most famous portrait is arguably of Barack Obama. In 2018, the American artist received a commission to paint the 44th President of the United States. Wiley’s depiction shows Obama surrounded by what are intentionally several types of flowers. The flowers represent Kenya, his father's birthplace; Hawaii, the president's own birthplace; and Chicago, where Obama lived and worked. Other well-known works by Wiley include Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps, Judith and Holofernes, A New Republic and Femme Piquée Par Un Serpent. Explore a variety of Kehinde Wiley art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Kehinde Wiley's art is displayed in many places. His artwork is part of the permanent collections at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, California; the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Wiley also presents his work at special exhibitions throughout the year. A complete list of upcoming exhibitions is available on the artist’s official website. Find a diverse assortment of Kehinde Wiley art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024How much a Kehinde Wiley painting is worth varies based on its size, history, condition and other factors. In 2024, his painting Christian Martyr Tarcisius sold for more than $844,000 at auction.
Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2018, American painter Kehinde Wiley is one of his generation's most widely recognized artists, best known for taking inspiration from Old Masters works while centering contemporary Black subjects. He has garnered numerous accolades, including the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts, the Brooklyn Museum Asher B. Durand Award for Artistic Achievement, the American Federation for Arts Cultural Leadership Award and the Pratt Legend Award.
If you own a Kehinde Wiley painting, consult a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer for assistance with the valuation process.
On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Kehinde Wiley art.