Barack and Michelle Obama returned to the White House to unveil their official portraits.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama’s official White House portraits were unveiled during an emotional ceremony at the White House on Wednesday marking their first joint visit to the building since they left in 2017 and the return of a Washington tradition last celebrated 10 years ago.
The history-making portraits of the Obamas stand in contrast to those of other US presidents and their spouses hung on the White House walls, depicting the first Black President and first lady through the perspectives of contemporary artists working outside many of the conventions of traditional political portraiture.
President Obama’s image was painted by Robert McCurdy and Michelle Obama’s portrait was painted by Sharon Sprung.
Michelle wrote on her official Facebook page, “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.”
