Monday was a big day for the Obamas, who spent the morning in Washington unveiling their official portraits at the Smithsonian.
It is tradition for former presidents and first ladies to be painted by their choice of artist to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery.
For Barack, it was important that Yale University-trained painter, Kehinde Wiley, be behind his famous photo that will stand forever. Wiley is now the first African-American artist to create an official presidential portrait for the world renowned museum.
“What I was always struck by when I saw his portraits was the degree to which they challenged our ideas of power and privilege,” Obama said during the unveiling.
Former POTUS even suggested that he felt a real connection to the painter. “What we did find was that we had certain things in common. Both of us had American mothers who raised us with extraordinary love and support. Both of us had African fathers who had been absent from our lives, and in some ways our journeys involved searching for them, and what that meant,” he said. “I ended up writing about that journey and channeling it into the work that I did because I cannot paint,” he said.
The father of two also admitted to having a little input when it came to his looks … specifically, his grey hair. “I tried to negotiate less gray hair, and Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow him to do what I asked. I tried to negotiate smaller ears, struck out on that as well,” he joked.
Unveiling President @BarackObama’s portrait by @kehindewileyart. #myNPG #ObamaPortraits pic.twitter.com/0281UasPSt
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) February 12, 2018
Michelle chose Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, who is known for using grey for Black skin tones. Speaking of how she impacts “girls and girls of color,” former FLOTUS suggested, “They will see an image of someone who looks like them hanging on the walls of this great American institution … And I know the kind of impact that will have on their lives because I was one of those girls.”
Revealing Mrs. @MichelleObama’s portrait by Amy Sherald #ObamaPortraits #myNPG pic.twitter.com/gxPdvfnXWZ
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) February 12, 2018
Following the unveiling, several stars reposted the images on social media and praised the stunning artwork.
Jesse Williams even defended the artist behind Michelle’s photo, giving fans a little background information on her use of colors.