Phillip K. Smith III’s “Quarter Mile Arc” // photo by Lance Gerber
Here’s Why the Newly Unveiled Obama Portraits Are So Significant
February 13, 2018 | Art Zealous
The National Portrait Gallery officially unveiled its commissioned portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama yesterday, February 12. Renowned artist Kehinde Wiley was chosen by President Obama to paint his portrait, while former First Lady Obama chose emerging artist Amy Sherald.
These choices are reflective of the Obamas’ ideals of equity. With black portraiture seldom represented in contemporary art, these portraits are noteworthy beyond their brushstrokes. Just as their subjects made history as the first black President and First Lady, the portraits are also groundbreaking. Wiley and Sherald are the first black artists commissioned for a presidential portrait.
The newly-revealed paintings revitalize portraiture, eclipsing the usual humdrum presidential portrait unveilings of the past.