Portrait of Barack Obama

Portrait of Barack Obama. The official portrait of former President Barack Obama, painted by artist Kehinde Wiley, was unveiled in 2018. It is housed in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. as part of its permanent collection. The work is celebrated for its departure from traditional presidential portraiture, incorporating Wiley's signature style of vibrant, patterned backgrounds and a contemporary, reflective pose.

Description

The portrait depicts Barack Obama seated in a wooden chair against a dense, lush background of foliage and flowers. The botanical elements include symbolic references to places significant to Obama's life, such as chrysanthemums for Chicago, jasmine for Hawaii, and African blue lily for his father's homeland of Kenya. Obama is shown leaning forward, his expression thoughtful and direct, dressed in a dark suit without a tie. The composition eschews the formal trappings of office, focusing instead on a more intimate and personal representation. The painting's style is a direct application of Wiley's renowned practice of recontextualizing contemporary Black subjects within the grand tradition of European art.

Creation and unveiling

The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery commissioned Kehinde Wiley for the portrait in early 2017, following a selection process where Obama chose the artist himself. Wiley conducted several sittings with the former president in a temporary studio in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2017. The official unveiling ceremony took place on February 12, 2018, at the gallery, attended by the Obamas, Kehinde Wiley, and Amy Sherald, the painter of the official portrait of Michelle Obama. The event was a significant moment in the cultural life of the United States, drawing widespread media attention and public interest.

Reception and analysis

Critical and public reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its modernity and symbolic depth. Art critics from publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post highlighted its powerful break from the conventions of presidential portraits, such as those of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart or John F. Kennedy by Aaron Shikler. Scholars noted its dialogue with art history, comparing its floral backdrop to works from the Rococo period or the intricate patterns in tapestry. The portrait was widely interpreted as a statement on identity, legacy, and the representation of African Americans in the historical canon. It quickly became one of the most popular attractions at the National Portrait Gallery, inspiring numerous memes and discussions on social media platforms.

Location and display

The portrait is permanently installed in the "America's Presidents" exhibition on the second floor of the National Portrait Gallery, located at the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Washington, D.C.. It is displayed alongside the portrait of Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald, creating a paired presentation. The gallery reported a dramatic increase in attendance following the unveiling, with visitors often waiting in long lines to view the paintings. The work has also been featured in traveling exhibitions and has been reproduced extensively in publications, cementing its status as an iconic image of the early 21st century.

Artist background

Kehinde Wiley is an American painter born in 1977 in Los Angeles, best known for his vibrant, large-scale portraits that feature contemporary people of color in poses borrowed from Western painting. He earned his Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Art in 2001. Wiley's work, such as his "The World Stage" series, often critiques the absence of Black figures in historical and museum contexts. His selection by Barack Obama brought his work to unprecedented national prominence. Wiley's studio practice spans New York City, Beijing, and Dakar, and he is also the founder of Black Rock Senegal, an artist-in-residence program.

Category:2018 paintings Category:Portraits of Barack Obama Category:National Portrait Gallery (United States)