Michelle and Barack Obama’s Official Portraits Are Unveiled—and You’ve Got to See Them

It’s a tradition for every former president to have his portrait hung in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and the Obamas are no different. This morning, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama unveiled the paintings by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, who are the first African-Americans commissioned by the gallery. Excuse us while we pick our jaw up off the floor, because they’re stunning...

The 44th president chose Brooklyn-based, Yale University-trained painter Kehinde Wiley, who is known for his vibrant large-scale paintings of African-American men. 

The former first lady chose Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, who is known for her large-scale paintings of African-Americans depicted with gray skin. 

Both portraits will be on display for public viewing at the National Portrait Gallery beginning Tuesday, February 13.

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