The World Stage: Israel (Mahmoud Abu Razak)
Painting on canvas within a custom hand-carved frame • Kehinde Wiley
Style & Movement
Contemporary African-American art; New Portraiture; Post-Colonial Art incorporating Old Master and Baroque tropes.
Medium & Technique
Oil and gold enamel on canvas. The technique combines contemporary photorealist figure painting with ornamental gold patterns inspired by historical Jewish paper-cuttings and textiles.
Creation Period
2011
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 72 x 60 inches (182.9 x 152.4 cm). Large-scale portrait format.
Subject Description
The painting depicts a young Palestinian man named Mahmoud Abu Razak in a heroic, saint-like pose against a dense background of blue and gold ornamentation. The backdrop features Jewish iconography and filigree, including a circular halo-like structure and griffins, which creates a complex interplay between the sitter's identity and the cultural history of Israel. The floral motifs overlap onto the figure's clothes, blurring the line between the subject and the decorative space.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. Based on the visual evidence from museum display, the paint layer is stable, colors are vibrant, and the frame is intact.
Estimated Market Value
$800,000 - $1,500,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$700,000 - $1,200,000 USD
Provenance History
Commissioned/created for 'The World Stage: Israel' exhibition series (2011). Exhibited at Roberts & Tilton, Los Angeles, and The Jewish Museum, New York. Currently held in a private collection or significant institutional gallery.
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work from Wiley’s 'World Stage' series, exploring the intersections of race, religion, and politics in the Middle East. It challenges traditional Western portraiture by placing modern, marginalized figures into positions of power and holiness previously reserved for European aristocrats or saints.
Notable Features
Features a unique, hand-carved black frame topped with a crest depicting the Ten Commandments and the Lion of Judah, intentionally contrasting with the Arab subject to highlight the region's sociopolitical tensions.
Condition Issues
None visible. No evidence of cracking, fading, or structural canvas damage. Surface appears clean with professional varnish.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with 50% relative humidity and 70°F. Use UV-filtered lighting and avoid direct contact with the gold enamel surfaces which can be sensitive to touch and oils.