The Obamas Portrait Tour
Hear an exciting docent lecture about the nationwide tour organized by the Smithsonian and learn about these remarkable paintings.
From the moment of their unveiling at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in February 2018, the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama became iconic. The de Young Museum is proud to present these approximately life-size portraits which present a striking contrast to earlier presidential portraits and images of first ladies.
Artists Wiley and Sherald are the first African Americans to be commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery to create official portraits of a president or first lady. Throughout their careers they have addressed the lack of Black representation in Western art history, using portraiture to explore complex issues of identity. This talk will look at how portraiture shapes ideas about power, status, and legacy. Don’t miss this discussion of an important turning point in both American history and art.
