Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have returned to the White House for the unveiling of official paintings. “Barack and Michelle, welcome home,” Acting President Joe Biden said Wednesday. “You will be considered one of the most important presidents in history, along with one of the most important first ladies,” said former Obama Vice President Biden. When the portraits of the former presidential couple were unveiled, the audience applauded.
The photorealistic painting of Barack Obama shows him with a neutral facial expression against a white background. The former President wears a black suit and gray tie. The artist behind the portrait is Robert McCurdy, who likes to depict people with a neutral expression and against a white background. McCurdy told the nonprofit White House Historical Association that this allows for an “encounter” between the person shown and the viewer. Obama chose McCurdy to create the official portrait for the White House collection.
“What I love about Robert’s work is that he paints people exactly as they are. For better or for worse,” Obama joked about his portrait, making his audience laugh. “It catches every line on your face, every wrinkle in your shirt. You will notice that he refused to hide my gray hair. And refused my request to make my ears smaller.”
Michelle Obama can be seen in her painting sitting on a sofa in a room in the White House. She is wearing a light blue dress. Her portrait was painted by Sharon Sprung.
“I’m thrilled that this extraordinary work will forever be enshrined as part of our nation’s history,” Obama commented, noting that New York native Sprung was one of the small circle of painters who created a portrait for the White House .
Both paintings are distinctly different from the other official portraits of past Presidents and First Ladies in the White House, with their modern style.
Barack Obama said it was “great to be back”. He was at the White House in April to commemorate the anniversary of his health care bill. For Michelle Obama, it was the first visit to the seat of government since her husband left office in January 2017.