As part of his trip to the United States, President Javier Milei shared on social networks a photo next to a painting painted by the Argentine artist Fabián Pérez, in which the president appears personified as Napoléon Bonapartean image that had generated adverse reactions on social networks since it is the moment of the abdication of the famous former French emperor.
Late March, The libertarian had published a digital reproduction of the painting, titled “Long live fucking freedom”, painted with acrylic on a 24 x 30 centimeter canvas. Pérez, author of the work, lives in the United States, where he developed his career, which allowed him to paint and meet figures such as Diego Maradona, Ángel Di María and Pope Francis.
As a result of his trip through North American lands, Milei made time to meet with the artist in Los Angeles and receive the original painting from its creator.. The work recreates Napoleon abdicating at Fontainebleau, an oil painting made by Paul Delaroche in 1846, depicting the emperor with a dejected expression after the fall of Paris in April 1814 to the armies of Austria, Russia and Prussia. A year later, at the Battle of Waterloo, his final decline would come.
In Pérez’s painting, The President looks seriously at the viewer of the painting, flanked by an Argentine flag. The appeal to a defeated image of Napoleon generated varied reactions on social networks, both from Mileist supporters and detractors.
Javier Milei painting Napoleon Bonaparte Fabián Pérez
When the image of Javier Milei painted by Fabián Pérez became known, many users believed that it was artificial intelligence.
Instagram @fabianperezartist.official
The painter assured that he was “very aware of what is happening in Argentina”, despite having emigrated from the country more than 30 years ago. “I always try to listen as much as I can, now it’s much easier,” she said.
The artist explained that the inspiration to make the idea came from the premiere of the Napoleon film and because that particular image of the French leader was all over the streets of Hollywood. “It seemed great to me because it was super well-known and it seemed appropriate to portray him in a moment of truce, where the guy was trying to fight against this whole system, against this caste that he calls him, but sitting down, taking a breath”he said, in dialogue with TN.
Regarding the public’s response to the work, Pérez stated: “It had a lot of impact, many comments for and against, obviously. The people who like Milei and liked the painting, the people who are against it criticized it a lot and it seems barbaric to me, I think it’s good that people express themselves and say what they want. “Everyone has the right to choose and have their opinion.”
“The idea of painting players and celebrities is a series I’m doing called Living Legends. It is to honor in life all these people who were so influential in our lives, whether when they were young or right now.“, he explained about his paintings, which allowed him to meet Diego Maradona, Ángel Di María, Kun Agüero, Pato Fillol, Pep Guardiola, Mike Tyson and Pope Francis.
Fabián Pérez Pope Francis painting
Fabián Pérez met several figures thanks to his paintings.
Instagram @fabianperezartist.official
