Lena Rivera
Former US President Barack Obama's official portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in February 2018. The painting, created by artist Kehinde Wiley, depicts Obama sitting in a chair surrounded by foliage, including chrysanthemums, jasmine, and African blue lilies, each representing a significant aspect of his personal and professional life. The portrait is notable for being the first time a Black artist painted a presidential portrait for the museum. The unveiling of Obama's portrait attracted thousands of visitors and led to a significant increase in attendance compared to previous years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kehinde Wiley |
| Subject | Barack Obama |
| Date | 2017 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 72 x 54 inches |
| Owner | Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Unveiling Date | February 12, 2018 |
| Watch | 39mm White Gold Rolex Cellini |
| Flowers | Chrysanthemums, Jasmine, African Blue Lilies |
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What You'll Learn
Barack Obama's portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley
Barack Obama selected Kehinde Wiley to paint his portrait, which was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in February 2018. Wiley is the first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president. Wiley's work typically involves placing contemporary figures in the guise of powerful historical figures, such as Napoleon or John D. Rockefeller. In this portrait, Obama is depicted sitting in a chair, surrounded by foliage and flowers that hold symbolic meaning. These include chrysanthemums, the official flower of Chicago, jasmine, symbolic of Hawaii where Obama spent his childhood, and African blue lilies, alluding to his late father's Kenyan heritage. The choice of flowers, as well as the casual pose, reflect Obama's unique position in history.
Wiley's ability to showcase the "beauty, grace, and dignity" of Black people in a grand manner was praised by Obama. The painting also received a positive response from National Gallery Director Kim Sajet, who commended Wiley's skill in integrating popular culture with high art. The unveiling of the portrait attracted a large crowd and significantly increased visitor numbers compared to the previous President's Day Weekend.
Wiley's portrait of Obama is not the official portrait that will hang in the White House alongside other former presidents. The Obamas chose to work with critically recognized contemporary artists, shaking up the traditional process. The official portraits are typically commissioned by the White House Historical Association and presented to the White House. While Wiley's painting is not the official portrait, it holds historical significance as the first presidential portrait created by a Black artist for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has a collection of over 1,600 portraits of U.S. presidents, with a focus on acquiring presidential images. The gallery initiated a process to commission portraits of each president, later expanding this process to include first ladies, starting with Hillary Rodham Clinton. The gallery's "America's Presidents" exhibition featured Wiley's portrait of Obama, alongside Amy Sherald's portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
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Michelle Obama's portrait was painted by Amy Sherald
The portrait received praise from critics and was immensely popular with museum visitors, doubling attendance at the National Portrait Gallery in the two years following its unveiling. Art and architecture critic Philip Kennicott described the portrait as portraying Obama with "a curious mix of confidence and vulnerability."
Sherald, a rising star in the art world, was chosen by Michelle Obama herself, with whom she had an immediate connection. Obama described their first meeting:
> Within the first few minutes of our conversation, I knew she was the one for me. And maybe it was the moment she came in and she looked at Barack and she said, 'Well, Mr. President, I'm really excited to be here, and I know I'm being considered for both portraits,' she said, 'but, Mrs. Obama' – she physically turned to me and she said – 'I'm really hoping you and I can work together.'
In addition to the Michelle Obama portrait, Sherald's "American Sublime" exhibition was set to feature her portraits of Breonna Taylor and a transgender Statue of Liberty. However, Sherald cancelled the exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery due to concerns of censorship. She stated that she had been informed of internal discussions regarding the removal of her "Trans Forming Liberty" painting to avoid provoking then-President Trump. Sherald's decision sparked controversy, with a Smithsonian spokesman claiming that she had misunderstood the proposal, suggesting that a video would accompany and contextualize the painting rather than replace it.
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The Obamas' portraits are historic
The Obamas' choice of artists and the subsequent unveiling of the portraits have been interpreted as a political and historical commentary. The selection of Wiley and Sherald, who are known for their ability to integrate popular culture into high art and address socio-political histories in their work, can be seen as a deliberate choice by the Obamas to make a statement about diversity, inclusion, and representation. The unveiling of the portraits led to a significant increase in visitors to the National Portrait Gallery, with people lining up to catch a glimpse, further highlighting the historic nature of the event.
The portraits themselves also hold historical significance. President Barack Obama's portrait depicts him sitting in a chair surrounded by foliage and flowers that symbolically represent his personal and professional history. The chrysanthemums are the official flower of Chicago, the jasmine represents Hawaii where he spent his childhood, and the African blue lilies allude to his late Kenyan father. The casual pose and vibrant colours of the portrait place him firmly in the present day, reflecting his singular position in history as the first African-American president.
Michelle Obama's portrait, painted by Sherald, is also notable for its unique style and symbolism. While the specific elements of the portrait are not mentioned in the sources, Sherald's work is known for its ability to present the "full, complex truth of American life." The choice to have their portraits painted by Wiley and Sherald, who are renowned for their contributions to contemporary art and their ability to address socio-political themes, further emphasises the historic nature of the Obamas' portraits.
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The Obamas' portraits are not the official White House portraits
The portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have garnered much attention. Painted by acclaimed artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively, the paintings were unveiled by the Smithsonian on February 12, 2018. The portraits are historic, marking the first time Black artists painted a presidential or first lady portrait for the museum.
Despite their fame, the Obamas' portraits are not the official White House portraits that will hang in the White House alongside other former presidents and first ladies. Traditionally, the White House Historical Association commissions presidential portraits, which are then presented to the White House. Each president chooses the artist who will paint their likeness.
While the Obamas' portraits were commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery for its "America's Presidents" exhibition and First Lady collection, they are not the official White House portraits. In fact, the Obamas' portraits were on a national tour, travelling to museums throughout the United States.
The official White House portrait of President Obama is yet to be unveiled. There is speculation that President Obama may have chosen Kerry James Marshall, a Chicago-based artist, to paint his official portrait. Marshall and the Obamas have several public connections, including Marshall's appointment to the Committee on the Arts and the Humanities during Obama's second term.
In summary, while the Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald portraits of the Obamas are famous and historic, they are not the official White House portraits. The official White House portrait of President Obama is yet to be unveiled, and there is speculation that Kerry James Marshall may have been chosen for the task.
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The Obamas' portraits are currently on a national tour
The Obamas' portraits, created by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, are currently on a national tour across the United States. The iconic paintings of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have been organised by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, and are expected to reach millions of people. The tour provides an opportunity for those who may not usually be able to view these remarkable artworks.
The portraits were first unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery on 12 February 2018, attracting thousands of visitors and a threefold increase in visitors compared to the previous President's Day Weekend. The paintings have since inspired unprecedented public responses and become a significant departure from traditional presidential and First Lady portraiture. Wiley and Sherald are the first African Americans to be commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to create official portraits of a president and first lady. Their artistic visions are rooted in the tradition of American portraiture but are committed to increasing representation for people of colour.
Barack Obama's portrait depicts him sitting in a chair that seemingly floats among foliage. The flowers in the painting include chrysanthemums, the official flower of Chicago; jasmine, symbolic of Hawaii where Obama spent his childhood; and African blue lilies, alluding to his late Kenyan father. Obama is also shown wearing a 39mm White Gold Rolex Cellini watch, which he has worn on several high-profile occasions. Upon the unveiling of the portrait, Obama praised Wiley's ability to showcase "the beauty and the grace and the dignity" of Black people.
Michelle Obama's portrait, created by Sherald, also gained prominence and became the artist's most well-known work. However, Sherald later cancelled a separate exhibition at the Smithsonian, citing potential censorship and concerns about the integrity of her work. The exhibition, titled "American Sublime," was set to include her portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, along with a painting titled "Trans Forming Liberty," which portrayed a transgender Statue of Liberty. Despite this cancellation, Sherald's portrait of Michelle Obama continues to be exhibited as part of the ongoing national tour.
The Obama Portraits Tour has already visited several prestigious museums across the country, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. The final stop of the tour will be the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, before the portraits return to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
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Frequently asked questions
Barack Obama's portrait depicts him sitting in a chair surrounded by foliage and flowers that symbolise his life story. The foliage includes chrysanthemums, the official flower of Chicago, jasmine from Hawaii, and African blue lilies representing his late Kenyan father.
Barack Obama's portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley, an African-American artist.
Barack Obama's portrait is displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., as part of the "America's Presidents" exhibition.
