The Obama Foundation has unveiled the first-ever official dual portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama, painted by Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Titled "The Obamas: Springing Forth" (2026), the large-scale work uses Crosby's signature photo-transfer technique and incorporates personal and historical references, including Michelle Obama's childhood home, the Charles Alston Martin Luther King Jr. bust from the Oval Office, and symbols of the couple's achievements. The portrait will be displayed in the lobby of the new Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which opens to the public on Juneteenth.
This commission marks a significant moment in contemporary portraiture, as a renowned Black female artist creates an official likeness of the first Black U.S. president and first lady, blending political legacy with intimate personal history. The work underscores the growing role of major philanthropic foundations in commissioning high-profile art for public institutions, and highlights Crosby's continued prominence in the art world. The portrait also reflects a broader trend of museums and presidential centers seeking to diversify the artists and narratives represented in their collections.