The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, unveiled the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on February 12, 2018. The portraits were painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively, marking the first time the museum has commissioned African American artists to paint a presidential couple. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including former Vice President Joe Biden, director Steven Spielberg, and actor Tom Hanks. Wiley depicted Obama seated in a chair surrounded by botanicals symbolizing his heritage, while Sherald painted Michelle Obama in her signature grayscale palette wearing a geometric dress inspired by Piet Mondrian and Gee's Bend quilts.
This event matters because it represents a historic shift in the tradition of presidential portraiture, which has historically been dominated by white artists and conservative styles. By commissioning Wiley and Sherald, the National Portrait Gallery acknowledged the importance of diverse perspectives in representing American leadership. The portraits also serve as powerful symbols for young people, particularly girls of color, who can now see themselves reflected in the nation's official visual history. The choice of contemporary artists known for challenging conventional views of power and privilege signals a broader cultural recognition of the need for inclusivity in art institutions.