Former US President and author Barack Obama and his wife-author Michelle Obama returned to the White House on September 7, 2022 to unveil their official portraits during a gala ceremony. Apart from the Obamas, also seen at the event were President of the US Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, among others.
It's is noted that Barack Obama created history by becoming the first black president of the US. Now the Obamas' paintings will hang alongside previous first couples, including the Kennedys and going back George and Martha., in the White House.
The paintings were unveiled by the Obamas themselves and this is the first time that the name of the artists who painted them have been revealed! While artist Robert McCurdy painted Former US President Obama’s portrait, artist Sharon Sprung painted Michelle Obama’s portrait in a blue dress. See their paintings here:
Photo Credit: Pete Souza + The White House
Speaking on the occasion, Barack Obama said, "I want to thank Sharon Sprung for capturing everything I love about Michelle. Her grace, her intelligence, and the fact that she’s fine. Her portrait is stunning. And I want to thank Robert McCurdy for taking on a much more difficult subject and doing a fantastic job with mine."
Artist Robert McCurdy has previously painted famous public figures like Toni Morrison, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, among others. "But what I love about Robert’s work is that he paints people exactly the way they are. For better or worse. He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt,” Barack Obama added.
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama said in an Instagram post, "Today, Barack and I returned to the White House to unveil our official portraits. It was so exciting to share Sharon Sprung and Robert McCurdy's incredible artistry with the world—and to be back in the place we called home for eight years. But this day isn’t about us—it’s about all of you...
"It’s about all the work and service that so many of you have put in to help make this country a little better. And it’s a reminder that if a biracial kid with an unusual name and the daughter of a water pump operator and a stay-at-home mom can end up on the walls of the most famous address in the world—then every young kid who’s doubting themselves can, too. That’s what this country is about. And that’s why we have to continue to strive and struggle until that aspiration can be a reality for every child growing up today."
The Obamas also posted a video with more details about the artists and the process behind creating the official White House portraits on their social media pages. Here's what Barack Obama posted:
It's is noted that the Former US President Barack Obama has penned books including 'Dreams from My Father', 'The Audacity of Hope', 'Of Thee I Sing, and 'A Promised Land'. More recently, Barack Obama won an Emmy award for his narration in a documentary 'Our Great National Parks'. While his wife, Michelle Obama's debut book was a bestselling memoir 'Becoming'. Her new book 'All The Light We Carry' will be out in November this year.
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