People Are Living For The Official Portraits Of Barack And Michelle Obama Painted By These Incredible Black Artists
On Monday, Barack and Michelle Obama came together for the unveiling of their official portraits, which will be on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The portraits were created by two Black artists and people feel like this is the perfect way to celebrate Black History Month.
Barack Obama selected artist Kehinde Wiley to complete his portrait. Wiley is a Yale University-trained painter and is widely known for depicting contemporary African-Americans in regal positions with backdrops that reference an older century.
Michelle Obama chose Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, who usually paints her portraits in gray tone as a way to take away the assigned "color" of the subjects portrayed. Sherald's work is not necessarily known for realism, but is celebrated for the shapes and mood captured.
Barack Obama and Kehinde Wiley revealed the imaginative portrait of the 44th president surrounded by a floral backdrop
Michelle and Amy revealed the portrait of the former first lady
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The obamas then happily posed in front of their artistic renderings
The portrait unveiling was widely celebrated by people unable to see the historic occasion in person
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It'll only be a matter of time before commemorative replicas of these portraits are hanging in every Black home in America
At the event, Barack Obama thanked Amy Sherald for capturing his wife's "hotness"
44 then took a moment to admire Michelle's portrait
Get yourself a spouse that looks at you the way Barack looks at Michelle's portrait.
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Although some critics expressed disappointment in Michelle's final portrait
They were quickly schooled on the style of Amy Sherald's unique work
After the unveiling, Michelle delivered an address and said she's happy that young Black girls can now "see an image of someone who looks like them"
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