Barack and Michelle Obama’s Portraits Revealed — And The Opinions are Mixed

Barack and Michelle Obama have officially revealed the portraits commemorating their time as President and First Lady of the United States.

These portraits have been the most anticipated presidential/FLOTUS paintings, mainly due to the artists the Obamas tapped to complete the pieces. For his portrait, the former Commander-In-Chief selected queer, black artist Kehinde Wiley to undertake capturing his likeness. The Yale University-trained painter is the first African-American artist to take on an official presidential portrait for the National Portrait Gallery.

Unsurprisingly, 44 was blown away by Wiley’s work, who painted the Hawaii-born politician sitting against a colorful backdrop. During his speech at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Barack noted:

“How about that? That’s pretty sharp… I tried to negotiate less gray hair and Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow (him) to do what I asked. I tried to negotiate smaller ears. Struck out on that as well.”

pic.twitter.com/X4zTGa15ad

— hunter harris (@hunteryharris) February 12, 2018

help us pic.twitter.com/dbjYjz2CsW

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 12, 2018

THESE PORTRAITS ARE UNLIKE ANYTHING A PRESIDENT HAS EVER DONE. IM CRYING ITS SO BEAUTIFUL.

— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) February 12, 2018

I don’t think Michelle Obama’s official portrait actually looks like her

— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 12, 2018

Michelle Obama's portrait was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery…
Aaaaand it looks nothing like her. pic.twitter.com/EQitllF47w

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 12, 2018

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