It’s been a minute since we’ve seen our former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama and both recently came back into the public, only this time it wasn’t for politics. This past Monday (February 12th) the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery unveiled the official portraits of the former first couple. Just like the former president, the portraits are really unique and extraordinary with the use of vibrant colors, funky prints and lots of personality.
According to CNN, these portraits were the most anticipated unveilings to date, and it’s all because of who the Obamas selected. Amy Sherald was chosen for Michelle’s official portrait, while Barack chose Kehinde Wiley.
Both artists have become the first African American artist to paint
official presidential portraits.
Obama took to his Instagram to express his gratitude:
“Today, @KehindeWiley and @ASherald became the first black artists to create official presidential portraits for the Smithsonian. To call this
experience humbling would be an understatement, Thanks to Kehinde and Amy, generations of Americans — and young people from all around the world — will visit the National Portrait Gallery and see this country through a new lens. They’ll walk out of that museum with a better sense of the America we all love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Inclusive and optimistic.”
The portraits look great, and it’s amazing to see the Obama’s back in the public eye again!
