Marcus Chen
The official portrait of former US President Barack Obama, painted by Kehinde Wiley, has sparked controversy due to the depiction of Obama's left hand, which appears to have six fingers. While some viewers praised the painting for its bright background and Obama's relaxed pose, others were quick to point out the apparent extra finger, with some speculating that it was a symbolic reference or a deliberate mistake by the artist. The portrait, along with that of former First Lady Michelle Obama, painted by Amy Sherald, has attracted mixed reactions and sparked discussions about artistic interpretation and political commentary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fingers | 6 |
| Hand with extra finger | Left hand |
| Artist | Kehinde Wiley |
| Location | Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery |
| Date unveiled | 12 February 2018 |
| Flowers in the painting | Chrysanthemums, jasmine, and African blue lilies |
| Symbolic meaning of flowers | Obama's roots in Chicago, Hawaii, and Kenya |
| Watch worn by Obama | 39mm White Gold Rolex Cellini |
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What You'll Learn
- The sixth finger on Obama's left hand may be a reference to the six-fingered African god, Obatala
- The artist, Kehinde Wiley, stated that the foliage in the painting competes with Obama for focus
- Obama's hands appear disproportionately large compared to the rest of his body
- The portrait is symbolic of the Sixth Finger diaspora of Africans to North America
- The painting received mixed reactions, with some critics describing it as weird
The sixth finger on Obama's left hand may be a reference to the six-fingered African god, Obatala
Barack Obama's presidential portrait, painted by Kehinde Wiley, sparked controversy due to the appearance of an extra finger on the former president's left hand. Some Twitter users pointed out that where the pinky finger creased, it looked like there was an additional finger tucked under the palm. This observation led to a flurry of discussions and speculations on social media.
While some critics attributed the extra finger to the artist's incompetence or lack of skill, others delved into symbolic interpretations. One such interpretation suggests that the sixth finger on Obama's left hand may be a subtle reference to the six-fingered African god, Obatala, who is credited with molding clay to create the Yoruba people of Nigeria. This connection adds a layer of depth to the portrait, alluding to the influence of African culture and mythology.
In African mythology, Obatala is considered androgynous and is married to Yemoo, also known as Yemoja, the goddess of oceans and protector of women. The beliefs and stories surrounding these gods were integral to West African communities, particularly those impacted by the slave trade. The inclusion of Obatala's sixth finger in Obama's portrait could be a subtle nod to the resilience and influence of African culture, even in the face of historical challenges.
Additionally, the artist, Kehinde Wiley, is known for his use of symbolism and has proudly associated himself with Eshu, the trickster god of the Yoruba people. Wiley's interest in mythology and symbolism lends further credence to the interpretation that the sixth finger was an intentional reference to Obatala, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the portrait.
While the true intention behind the extra finger remains unknown, the speculation surrounding it has sparked fascinating discussions about the interplay between art, symbolism, and cultural influences. The portrait of Barack Obama continues to be a subject of intrigue and interpretation, inviting viewers to explore the deeper meanings that may be woven into the canvas.
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The artist, Kehinde Wiley, stated that the foliage in the painting competes with Obama for focus
The official portrait of former US President Barack Obama, painted by Kehinde Wiley, has been the subject of much discussion and scrutiny since its unveiling in February 2018. One of the most talked-about aspects of the painting is the suggestion that Obama appears to have six fingers on his left hand, with an extra finger tucked under his pinky. While some have criticised this as a flaw or a result of the artist's ineptitude, others have speculated that it may be symbolic or intentional.
The artist, Kehinde Wiley, has offered his perspective on the painting's composition and symbolism. He stated that the foliage in the painting competes with Obama for the viewer's focus. The greenery behind Obama is not merely a decorative element but carries a deeper significance. Wiley intentionally chose three specific flowers to be woven into the foliage: chrysanthemums, jasmine, and African blue lilies. These flowers symbolise places where Obama has roots: chrysanthemums for Chicago, jasmine for Hawaii, where he spent his childhood, and African blue lilies for his late father's birthplace in Kenya.
Wiley's use of these flowers in the painting serves as a method of "charting [Barack Obama's] path on earth." The flowers reflect Obama's heritage and important influences in his life. The painting thus becomes more than just a portrait of a man but a symbolic projection of his life story and roots. The choice to depict Obama sitting in a chair floating in front of this lush foliage further adds to the sense of Obama's roots travelling to the seat of power in the United States, echoing the journey of slaves from Africa to North America and other continents.
The inclusion of the sixth finger in the portrait has sparked various interpretations. Some have suggested that it symbolises the six-fingered African god Obatala, who is popular in West African communities and is credited with creating the Yoruba people of Nigeria. This ties into the broader theme of African roots and diaspora that Wiley conveys through the foliage and flowers. Additionally, showing six fingers can be interpreted as a symbol for movement, suggesting that the subject's hands are busy or in motion.
While the sixth finger has drawn much attention and speculation, it is important to note that Wiley's portrait of Obama encompasses more than just this detail. The artist's deliberate choices regarding the composition, symbolism, and subject matter contribute to a complex and thought-provoking work of art that reflects Obama's life, heritage, and historical context.
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Obama's hands appear disproportionately large compared to the rest of his body
The official portrait of former US President Barack Obama, painted by Kehinde Wiley, has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with some observers noting that Obama's hands appear disproportionately large compared to the rest of his body. The painting, unveiled in February 2018 at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, depicts Obama sitting in a chair with his arms folded and a blank expression on his face. While the portrait has been praised for its vibrant background and Obama's relaxed pose, Twitter users were quick to point out the apparent anomaly in the depiction of his hands.
Upon closer inspection, it appears that Obama's left hand may have been rendered with an extra finger, tucked beneath his pinky finger, giving the illusion of six fingers instead of five. This peculiar detail has sparked a range of responses, from humorous memes to more serious discussions about the potential symbolism behind the artistic choice. Some Twitter users questioned whether the artist had inadvertently included an extra finger, while others speculated that it might be a symbolic reference to the six-fingered African god, Obatala, or even a subtle comment on Obama's personality traits.
The artist, Kehinde Wiley, is known for his use of symbolism and has explained that the foliage in the portrait competes with Obama as the focal point, reflecting the stories of his life. The flowers woven into the greenery—chrysanthemums, jasmine, and African blue lilies—symbolize Obama's roots in Chicago, Hawaii, and his late father's birthplace in Kenya. While the attention to detail in these aspects of the painting has been generally well-received, the depiction of Obama's hands has become a focal point for critique and interpretation.
Some art critics and Twitter users have offered alternative explanations for the extra finger, suggesting that it may be a symbol for movement, indicating that the subject's hands are busy or in motion. This interpretation harks back to artistic memes, such as Picasso's "A Dream," where the subject's fingers are depicted as active and engaged. In the case of the Obama portrait, some have jokingly interpreted the large hands and extra finger as a comment on the former president's personal life, invoking a popular association between hand size and a man's anatomy.
Amid the flurry of reactions and interpretations, some have also come to Wiley's defence, acknowledging the challenges of painting hands and the potential for artistic licence in portraiture. While the debate over the meaning and accuracy of Obama's portrait rages on, it has undoubtedly sparked a fascinating discussion about the power of art to convey complex messages and the role of the artist in shaping the public perception of prominent figures like Barack Obama.
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The portrait is symbolic of the Sixth Finger diaspora of Africans to North America
The portrait of former US President Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley has sparked much controversy since its unveiling in February 2018. While the painting drew praise for its vibrant background and Obama's relaxed pose, some viewers noticed something peculiar about the former president's left hand. It appeared to feature an extra finger tucked under his pinky, leading to speculation that Obama had been depicted with six fingers.
Beyond the initial surprise and humour reflected in social media reactions, the discussion around the sixth finger evolved into interpretations rooted in symbolism and cultural significance. Some commentators suggested that the extra digit was a symbolic representation of the Sixth Finger diaspora of Africans to North America. This interpretation aligns with the overall theme of the portrait, which features flowers and foliage that symbolise Obama's heritage and roots.
The artist, Kehinde Wiley, is known for his use of symbolism and cultural references in his works. Wiley chose flowers that held specific meanings: chrysanthemums for Chicago, jasmine for Hawaii, and African blue lilies for Obama's late Kenyan father's birthplace. This floral symbolism extends to the interpretation of the sixth finger as a representation of the African diaspora.
In African mythology, the six-fingered god Obatala is credited with creating the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The belief in Obatala was popular among West African communities affected by the slave trade, and this cultural influence travelled with them to the Americas and other regions. The sixth finger in Obama's portrait can thus be seen as a subtle yet powerful nod to the African diaspora and the historical movement of Africans to North America.
The interpretation of the sixth finger as symbolic of the African diaspora adds a layer of depth and cultural significance to the portrait. It reflects on the history of slavery and the impact of African culture in the United States, a country that Obama, as the first African-American president, helped shape in significant ways.
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The painting received mixed reactions, with some critics describing it as weird
The unveiling of Barack Obama's presidential portrait by Kehinde Wiley drew mixed reactions from the public and critics. While some praised the painting, others described it as ""weird", with many taking to social media to point out peculiarities in the artwork.
The painting, which was unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery on 12 February 2018, depicts Obama sitting in a chair, surrounded by a floral motif. The flowers symbolise places where Obama has roots: chrysanthemums for Chicago, jasmine for Hawaii, and African blue lilies for his late Kenyan father.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the portrait was the appearance of Obama's hands, with many people pointing out that his left hand appeared to have six fingers. Some Twitter users commented on the length of Obama's hands and forearms, with one user noting that they looked "twice as big as his head".
The artist, Kehinde Wiley, is known for his use of symbolism, and some have speculated that the extra finger in the portrait may have been intentional. One interpretation suggests that the sixth finger symbolises the popular six-fingered African god, Obatala, who is credited with creating the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Another interpretation suggests that showing six fingers is a symbol for movement, indicating that the model's hands are busy.
While the portrait of Obama received mixed reactions, with some critics describing it as "weird", others have praised it for its symbolism and its ability to capture the former president's essence. Obama himself commended the painting for avoiding making him "look like Napoleon", as many of Wiley's previous subjects were on horseback. National Gallery Director Kim Sajet supported both the selection and the artist's rendition, praising Wiley's ability to integrate popular culture into high art.
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Frequently asked questions
Obama appears to have six fingers in his official portrait, with an extra finger tucked under his pinky on his left hand.
Some sources suggest that the artist, Kehinde Wiley, added a sixth finger to symbolise the popular six-fingered African god, Obatala, or to indicate movement and busy hands. Others believe it was a mistake due to the painting-by-team approach, with each artist working on a single finger.
Obama's portrait was considered polarising, with some critics describing it as "weird" and "cartoonish". The painting also drew attention for Obama's large hands and the size of his head in relation to his forearms.
