Picture Perfect 🖼
Family, both our Forever President Barack Obama and our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama officially unveiled their White House portraits in a ceremony at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. This is the first time they have returned to the White House as a couple since the presidency transitioned to Donald Trump in 2017. 👀
The history-making portraits of the Obamas stand in contrast to those of other US presidents and their spouses [hanging] on the White House walls, depicting the first Black President and first lady through the perspectives of contemporary artists working outside many of the conventions of traditional political portraiture. President Obama's image was painted by Robert McCurdy and Michelle Obama's portrait was painted by Sharon Sprung. [President Joe Biden, who presided over the commemoration, celebrated the Obamas saying the following:]
“You both generated hope for millions of people who were left behind for so long -- and it matters. You both did it with such grace and such class. You dreamed big and secured lasting wins for the American people, helping lift their burden with a blessing of hope…. This is the gift of the Obama presidency to the country and to history."
~CNN
President Joe and First Lady Jill Biden hosted the festivities in the East Room of the White House, which was full of guests spanning over two presidential administrations, in which they both served. The likenesses of former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are the first additions to the official White House portrait collection since the Obamas held the very same ceremony honoring George W. Bush and Laura Bush in 2012. 😲
The paintings themselves are nothing short of spectacular. Artist Robert McCurd is known for utilizing stark white backdrops in the minimalist works he creates. He used a photograph of the 44th President of the United States to create a realistic image that closely resembles the former leader of the free world, in which he is wearing a silver tie that compliments a stately black suit. Sharon Sprung, a “contemporary realism” artist based in Brooklyn, New York, who has painted other notable political women, portrayed the former First Lady wearing a light blue gown sitting on a red chaise in the White House’s notable Red Room. This breathtaking final image of Michelle Obama was also inspired by multiple photographs. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
These now-famous canvasses will remind us all of the “Obama years” for many decades to come. We couldn’t be more proud of the Obamas; they continue to represent us well. Watch Night News takes pride in delivering a Diaspora-inspired perspective on news, history, and culture to your inbox every night.