Official portraits of Barack, Michelle Obama to be unveiled at White House ceremony
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama's official White House portraits were unveiled during an emotional ceremony at the White House on Wednesday -- marking their first joint visit to the building since they left in 2017 and the return of a Washington tradition last celebrated 10 years ago.
The former first lady's portrait was painted by Sprung, who describes her work as "contemporary realism." The image depicts Michelle Obama in a blue dress, seated on a sofa in the Red Room of the White House. The artwork was painted from photographs taken in different locations on the White House's State Floor.
The former President subsequently led a standing ovation for Biden, saying in the East Room, "Thanks to your decency and thanks to your strength -- maybe most of all thanks to your faith in democracy and the American people -- the country's better off than when you took office. And we should all be deeply grateful for that."that the Covid-19 pandemic played a factor in the timing of the unveiling.
McCurdy's depiction of the former President is minimalist, eschewing the conventional props typically associated with a presidential portrait, like a desk or a bookcase, for an entirely blank background. "And I hope they leave with a better understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can too. They can do remarkable things, too," he continued.
"Too often in this country, people feel like they have to look a certain way or act a certain way to fit in, that they have to make a lot of money or come from a certain group or class or faith in order to matter. 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.
Since leaving the presidency, the Obamas have staked some of their post-White House careers in taste-making -- producing podcasts and award-winning films, as well as curating playlists and book lists each year. The Obamas were joined by family, friends, former Cabinet members and top staffers from the administration during the unveiling, acknowledging former staff in the room as well as staff from the White House residence.
Former President Obama has visited the White House since Biden took office, but Wednesday's event marked Michelle Obama's first time back in the building since the Trumps arrived in January 2017.
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