A new portrait of President Obama was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery last week. It was met with mixed reviews.
Critics compared the unconventional painting by Kehinde Wiley to portraits from the White House collection, implying that the new work – and, by extension, Obama himself – was less dignified or presidential than those that came before.
But it’s a flawed comparison. This is not his White House portrait. (Also? Judge presidents by their actions, not by artwork created of them.)
There are two collections of portraits that include all (except the most recent) former U.S. Presidents: the 43 paintings in the White House and the more varied collection in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG), which also includes sculptures and photographs.
The portraits in the White House are often more formal and official-looking than their NPG counterparts, especially in recent decades, when artwork has been veering away from tradition, widening the gap between the two collections.
Wiley’s painting has been installed in the National Portrait Gallery, where I’m sure it stands out as unique, but not out of place.
PS Obama’s portrait has been re-created on a cookie.
Former President Barack Obama's painting for the "America's Presidents" exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., has been unveiled. #CookieTheNews pic.twitter.com/J89Q7l4849
— Tastemade (@tastemade) February 17, 2018
Photos via the White House and National Portrait Gallery.
I’m laughing at Jess’s comment about gold leaf in the future. This is beautiful, and wow – that cookie!
Yes! I’ve watched the cookie decorating over and over!
I LOVE the portrait! You know why? It’s all dignified in the way he’s sitting, the chair he’s sitting on, his serious(ish) face, and it’s the background that creeps into the foreground that’s informal. But also so very hopeful — all flowers and vines and happiness. I agree that the White House portraits are much more staid and formal, but looking at your smattering of NPG portraits, President Obama’s fits right in! I mean, look how pastel JFK is. I shudder to think of all the gold leaf that will be used in the future. Blurg. Love this Wiley portrait!
Haha! You should check out more of Wiley’s work! I think you’ll love the colors, floral backgrounds, and the way he captures the dignity of everyday people. His site: http://kehindewiley.com/works/
I loved seeing his exhbiition when it came to Phoenix too! https://www.travelcraftjournal.com/a-moving-art-experience/