Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled their official portraits at the White House. The Obamas returned to the home they lived in for eight years with their daughters Sasha and Malia for a day before Wednesday’s formal ceremony.
“You are considered one of the most important presidents in history, along with one of the most important first ladies,” said current President and former Obama Vice President Joe Biden, amid applause from numerous invitees.
Obama against a light background
The portrait of Barack Obama, painted by Robert McCurdy, shows the now 61-year-old photo-realistic in a dark suit and gray tie against a light background. “What I love about Robert’s work is that he paints people as they are. For better or for worse,” Obama joked about his portrait, which made his audience laugh. “It captures every line on your face, every wrinkle in your shirt. You will notice that it refused to hide my gray hair. And refused my request to make my ears smaller.”
McCurdy created the painting based on photos he took of Obama. According to the White House, he spends more than a year on any hyper-realistic work that strives for absolute neutrality. McCurdy painted Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Muhammad Ali, among others.
Michelle Obama was portrayed by painter Sharon Sprung in a classic pose, sitting on a red couch, wearing a light blue dress. “I am thrilled that this extraordinary work will forever be enshrined as part of our nation’s history,” Obama noted, noting that New York-born Sprung was one of the small circle of painters who painted a portrait for the White House made.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
