Photo: Obamas' White House portraits being unveiled

[Donkees]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Here-they-are-Obamas-White-House-portraits-17425093.php






https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/07/arts/obama-portraits-white-house.html

[Walleye]

1. That's a nice shot. I would love to have had the job photographing President Obama

[EYESORE 9001]

2. From my perspective, his portrait could be a photograph

The one of Michelle, however, can be identified as a painting. They are both terrific.

[underpants]

7. I said the same.

[BigmanPigman]

18. His is a photo realistic portrait....

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/07/politics/presidential-portraits-unveiled-at-white-house/index.html#:~:text=Years%20later%2C%20those%20instructions%20have,against%20a%20bright%20white%20background

"President Barack Obama's portrait was painted by Robert McCurdy. First lady Michelle Obama was painted by Sharon Sprung.
Wearing a black suit, white shirt and a light gray tie with his hands in his pockets, Obama looks out from the canvas at the viewer with an enigmatic expression. Nothing else disrupts the composition."

...Years later, those instructions have translated into a strikingly different style of official presidential painting. Unveiled Wednesday in a ceremony in the East Room, the portrait of Obama is a photorealist picture of the former President set against a bright white background."

"What I love about Robert's work is that he paints people exactly the way they are, for better or worse. He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt," Obama said during Wednesday's ceremony. "You'll note that he refused to hide any of my gray hairs. Refused my request to make my ears smaller. He also talked me out of wearing a tan suit, by the way."
"It feels like you're face-to-face, forming a connection," Obama went on. "That appealed to me, in part because presidents so often get air brushed. They even take on a mythical status, especially after you've gone, and people forget all the stuff they didn't like about you."

After the initial photo was taken from which McCurdy painted, the former President had no say in the final portrait, according to the artist."

[hamsterjill]

19. Me, too.

I like his better. It’s all a matter of taste.

I am glad they are finally being given the honor and it’s lovely that Joe and Jill hosted. If Trump had done it, he would have made it ugly. This way, it was dignified and beautiful.

[CincyDem]

3. Those are GREAT f'ing portraits...excuse my french. lol n/t

[beaglelover]

4. The portrait of POTUS Obama is really amazing.

Looks like a photograph. Very impressive work.

[hlthe2b]

8. Yes. Initially I was taken aback by the stark white background, but it heightens the realism.

Both are great.

[liberalla]

16. The more I look at it, the more I like it. It's very modern.

I wouldn't be surprised if it starts a trend.

[a kennedy]

25. and you do notice he's wearing a whitish shirt and tie........and he's Black.....

ah, talk about the first African American as POTUS eh?? I am looking at this painting in a whole different light.

[mzmolly]

5. I couldn't love this more.

[Donkees]

6. Photos:

[sky_masterson]

9. I miss hearing them both speak

Not to mention my crush on Michelle.
Both portraits are beautiful.

[nolabear]

10. "And he talked me out of wearing a tan suit."

[calimary]

21. That was a great line!

[MissMillie]

11. Know what I really love about this photo?

The Orange Criminal isn't in it.

[Laha]

24. Haha, you caught was I was thinking and didn't realize it

It was a shameful travesty that the slobfather didn't carry the tradition, such a small pathetic man. But now, I think you're absolutely right. I'm so glad we don't have to see his face anywhere near those portraits.

[mainer]

12. I like the ones in the national portrait gallery better

These feel so ... ordinary

[brer cat]

13. Beautiful. They are such a handsome couple.

[FloridaBlues]

14. Loved the ceremony I couldn't help but tear up on hearing the Obama's speak.

These portraits are a work of art.

[Traildogbob]

15. Are we

Gonna have to wait this long for the trump and first Ho portraits?
I pray that it will never be allowed to have those two slimes ever occupy space in our house.
Thank you PRESIDENT Obama and First Lady for the class, intelligence and passion for serving the country with honor.
I love this man and his class act entire family. We were blessed to have them.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

17. I hope those portraits are in the White House soon.

There's no reason to continue Trump's practices.

[calimary]

23. He'd undoubtedly want his to be THE BIGGEST of the whole lot.

I hate the whole idea of acknowledging his "presidency", but there is that tradition thing. I suppose they could always hang in one of the bathrooms. His, at least. But if I were a White House staffer, tradition or no, I probably wouldn't ever want to look at them.

[llmart]

26. No, there is no "tradition" when it comes to him.

He tried to overthrow our government, called the White House a dump, ridiculed everything he could about any of our traditions, so fuck him.

[calimary]

20. DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYUM! Simply GORGEOUS!!!

Especially hers.

The one of him is some of the best photographic realism I've ever seen, and I went to art school.

[iluvtennis]

22. Very beautiful portraits!! n/t