The unveiling of Barack and Michelle Obama’s official portraits drew applause at an event held at the White House. Customarily, a former president will return for the unveiling of their portrait during their successor’s tenure, but Donald Trump’s administration did not hold a ceremony for the Obamas. Wednesday’s event took place five years after Barack Obama left office.
The former president was painted by artists Robert McCurdy, who placed a grey-suited Obama centre of a striking white background. The style is reminiscent of the portraits of Toni Morrison and Nelson Mandela. The former first lady, Michelle, was painted by Sharon Sprung, who pictured her wearing a lush blue dress in the White House’s Red Room.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the Obamas ‘back home’ at the opening of the event. The occasion marked Michelle’s first visit since her husband’s presidency ended in January 2017.
When the former president took to the stage, he said that it was “great to be back”, praising Biden – who served as his vice president – as a “true partner and a true friend”. Al Jazeera reports what Obama said, “when future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get an honest sense of who Michelle and I were”…” I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can, too”.
Obama portraits in style and substance
In terms of style and substance, the Obama portraits look unique from others in the collection. Al Jazeera reports that both McCurdy and Sprung found it very difficult to conceal their works.
McCurdy, the artist charged with painting Obama’s portrait, said that the bare style of his work creates an encounter between the person in the painting and the one looking at it. McCurdy also prefers presenting his subjects without facial expressions, against a white background – as in the case of Obama’s portrait. In a discussion with the White House Historical Association, McCurdy said, “they have plain white backgrounds, nobody gestures, nobody — there are no props because we’re not here to tell the story of the person that’s sitting for them…”
“…We’re here to create an encounter between the viewer and the sitter.”
Obama’s portrait will display in the Grand Foyer of the White House. Traditionally, president portraits showcase here. Portraits of Bill Clinton and George W Bush currently hang there. Michelle Obama’s portrait will most likely be placed in the hallway on the Ground Floors of the White House.
zahraa@smile904.fm
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