Deborah Oropallo is a contemporary artist whose installation involves the layering of images of contemporary women in provocative guises and revealing poses and famous 17th and 18th century portraits of males in positions of power.
The installation is aptly named Guise. The first picture in the gallery is the portrait called The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough. Following the famous painting is Oropallo’s rendition called Blue, which shows a superimposed image of a woman in high heels and platform shoes.
French painter Jacques Louis David’s Napoleon and Oropallo’s gaudy version of the same name are next followed by Charles Willson Peale’s portrait of George Washington and Oropallo’s burlesque-like version called George.
A portrait named Joris de Caullery by Rembrandt was turned into Gladiator and Sir Henry Raeburn became a curvy woman sporting a provocative bathing suit and fishnet stockings which Oropallo called Knockout.
Who would have thought Napoleon would look that good in a miniskirt.
Superimposed Naughtiness
'Guise' Portraits by Deborah Oropallo
Trend Themes
1. Layering Images - Opportunities for art installations that involve layering contemporary and historical images in a provocative and juxtaposed manner.
2. Superimposed Portraits - Potential for creating artworks that superimpose modern figures onto famous historical portraits, adding a new perspective and narrative.
3. Reimagining Famous Artworks - Innovation in creating updated versions of iconic paintings by introducing modern elements and altering the traditional depictions.
Industry Implications
1. Contemporary Art - The art world can explore new forms of expression and storytelling by integrating contemporary themes and concepts into traditional art practices.
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3. Fashion - Fashion designers can draw inspiration from historical artworks and reimagine traditional garments in modern and provocative ways.