The artwork titled “FAKE DEATH PICTURE (THE DEATH OF LEONARDO DA VINCI IN THE ARMS OF FRANCIS I)”, created by Yinka Shonibare in 2011, is a photograph. It belongs to the Contemporary and Postcolonial art movements. The genre of this piece is photography.
The artwork is a carefully staged tableau that reimagines the famous historical moment of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, depicting the Renaissance master in a vividly patterned, contemporary outfit. The scene is meticulously composed and features an array of diverse figures, each dressed in period attire but with a modern twist. The environment is dimly lit, with a focus on the central figures of da Vinci and Francis I, providing a dramatic contrast that draws viewers into the emotional gravity of the scene. The backdrop and props, including the ornate bed and detailed costumes, enhance the narrative quality of Shonibare’s critique on historical representation and identity within a postcolonial context. The overall mood of the artwork is one of solemnity and reflection, inviting contemplation on the interplay between history and modernity.
