A richly illustrated celebration of the paintings of President Barack
Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
From the moment of their unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in
early 2018, the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama have become two
of the most beloved artworks of our time. Kehinde Wiley's portrait of
President Obama and Amy Sherald's portrait of the former first lady have
inspired unprecedented responses from the public, and attendance at the
museum has more than doubled as visitors travel from near and far to
view these larger-than-life paintings. After witnessing a woman drop to
her knees in prayer before the portrait of Barack Obama, one guard said,
"No other painting gets the same kind of reactions. Ever." The Obama
Portraits is the first book about the making, meaning, and significance
of these remarkable artworks.
Richly illustrated with images of the portraits, exclusive pictures of
the Obamas with the artists during their sittings, and photos of the
historic unveiling ceremony by former White House photographer Pete
Souza, this book offers insight into what these paintings can tell us
about the history of portraiture and American culture. The volume also
features a transcript of the unveiling ceremony, which includes moving
remarks by the Obamas and the artists. A reversible dust jacket allows
readers to choose which portrait to display on the front cover.
An inspiring history of the creation and impact of the Obama portraits,
this fascinating book speaks to the power of art--especially
portraiture--to bring people together and promote cultural change.
Published in association with the Smithsonian's National Portrait
Gallery, Washington, DC
