• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About

R. Tucker Studios

  • Legal Notices
  • Affiliates

February 24, 2018 News

President Obama’s Portrait Receives Cheers While First Lady’s Portrait Gets Jeers

President Barack Obama's Official Portrait

Photo: NPG/Mark Gulezian

President Barack Obama’s official portrait was unveiled on February 12, 2018 to enthusiastic applause from an audience of politicians, journalists, and Hollywood celebrities. The oversized painting was created by Los Angeles native/New York based artist Kehinde Wiley in his signature realistic style, and includes visual “nods” to moments in President Obama’s life hidden in the foliage surrounding his figure.

Michelle Obama portrait painted by Amy Sherald

Photo: Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery

On the other hand, First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait by Baltimore based artist Amy Sherald was not as well-received. While the painting has been praised by some who feel it captures the “essence” of the First Lady, it’s also been widely criticized—even trolled—for failing to capture a likeness.

The following image shows the two portraits next to their respective subjects:

Official President and First Lady Portraits are unveiled.

Photo: Getty Images/Mark Wilson

Do you feel it’s more important to capture a portrait subject’s essence or likeness? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Categories: News

Previous Post: « Know Your Art Styles
Next Post: Pantone Announces 2019 Color of the Year: Living Coral »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    February 25, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    I’ll admit my reaction to Michele Obama’s portrait was ‘huh?’ Then I figured it had to be the artist’s style in play.

Primary Sidebar

R. Tucker Studios 2023

Login here:

Username:
Password:

Copyright © 2023 R. Tucker Studios on the Cookd Pro Theme

This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience and tracking purchases made through our affiliate program.
Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT