Barack Obama

2022 - 9 - 7

Michelle Obama

Barack and Michelle Obama make first joint return to the White ... (CNN)

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama's official White House portraits were unveiled during an emotional ceremony at the White ...

But what we're looking at today -- a portrait of a biracial kid with an unusual name and the daughter of a water pump operator and a stay-at-home mom -- what we are seeing is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in this country," the former first lady said. It's hanging within one of the recessed archways that line the hallway. Thomas said another private donation of $100,000 also is helping to pay costs associated with the portraits. A Robert Rauschenberg painting replaced a portrait of a Roosevelt in the family dining room. Unlike her predecessors' portraits, Michelle Obama is wearing a strapless gown in her portrait -- perhaps a marker of the country's evolving style. The image depicts Michelle Obama in a blue dress, seated on a sofa in the Red Room of the White House. This is the gift of the Obama presidency to the country and to history." Michelle Obama's is hanging one floor below, along the ground floor hallway. "We're now heading towards the first third of the 21st century. The WHHA, a nonprofit organization, facilitates and funds the creation of the portraits. And when in office, President Donald Trump never held a ceremony for the Obama portraits. The photorealistic image of the former President, dressed in a black suit with a gray tie, is painted against a minimal white backdrop -- a signature of McCurdy's artworks.

The Obamas return to the White House for the unveiling of their ... (NPR)

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama headed to the White House Wednesday for the unveiling of the couple's official portraits.

"And at some point in time, they will be added to the White House collection." Bush and his wife Laura Bush ](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/05/31/154070215/president-obama-hosts-president-bush-for-unveiling-of-official-portrait)to the White House for their unveilings. [ Bush hosted the Clintons in 2004](https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/images/20040614-2_p41534-28-515h.html) and the [Clintons hosted George H.W. "As that time passed and I got better, people would ask me to do their portrait rather than buy a painting of a different subject," Sprung said. [has since made it a goal to acquire portraits](https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-backgrounders/official-white-house-portraits) of all presidents and first ladies. "He is the centerpiece," McLaurin said. That event has gone down in history as a comedic affair, with Obama quipping that Bush left him a "really good TV sports package" and Bush [dropping jokes about his painting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLAODZvZca8). Obama said McCurdy captured all his flaws – his grey hair, his large ears – and quipped that he had talked him out of wearing a tan suit for the image. It's telling the story of the relationship of the viewer with this particular person. To others, they will be very affirming," McLaurin said. That is what this country is about," she said. And I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can, too.

Official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled at White ... (Politico)

President Joe Biden opened his speech at the ceremony in the East Room of the White House with praise for the Obamas and their legacy.

The portrait unveiling is a decadeslong tradition, going back to 1978 when President Jimmy Carter invited his immediate predecessor, Gerald Ford, back to the White House. The Obamas joined the Bidens in the East Room for the reveal of the portraits, which were acquired and commissioned by the White House Historical Association. The portrait is reminiscent of Sprung’s other paintings that typically feature a jewel-like color palette.

Official Obama Portraits Are Finally Unveiled at the White House (The New York Times)

In a break with tradition, there was no ceremony while former President Donald J. Trump held office. President Biden unveiled the Obama portraits: his by ...

Mr. Obama said that Mr. “That was definitely new,” Mr. Biden and Mr. In working with Mr. When Mr. In Mr. But Mr. The animosity between Mr. It is not clear whether Mr. “Welcome home!” Mr. “It is great to be back,” Mr.

Obamas unveil their portraits, and it feels like a reunion (The Washington Post)

When former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama returned to the White House on Wednesday for the official unveiling of their portraits, ...

Meanwhile, it remains unlikely Biden will host an event for Trump, who has repeatedly ridiculed him and questioned his legitimacy, while Biden has excoriated Trump and his “MAGA Republicans” as a threat to democracy. “You take the baton from someone, you run your leg as hard and as well as you can, and then you hand it off to someone else, knowing that your work will be incomplete,” Obama said. “We trusted him, all of you in this room,” Biden said of the man who elevated him to the vice presidency. “I’m honored to host you and so many friends who have been part of this incredible journey,” Biden said to Obama. The earlier paintings were more whimsical, including an image of the former president seeming to float amid a sea of leaves. “We will try not to tear up the place.”

Barack And Michelle Obama Return To White House For Unveiling ... (Deadline)

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama returned to the White House on Wednesday for the unveiling of their official portraits. Robert McCurdy painted the portrait ...

They will hang in the White House as part of the collection. “What we are seeing is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in this country,” the former first lady said. The unveiling on Wednesday was the first since 2012, when the Obamas hosted George W. Barack Obama returned in March for a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Those works, from Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, are currently on a national tour in major cities and will return to the Smithsonian gallery’s permanent collection this fall. And I hope that they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can too.”