Status: 08.09.2022 05:43
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are moving back into the White House – permanently. However, only on canvas, as is the tradition of presidential portraits.
The invited guests cheered as Barack and Michelle Obama moved into the East Room of the White House along with Joe and Jill Biden. Several television stations broadcast live – the unveiling of presidential portraits is a tradition in the USA. And these two presidents know each other particularly well. Biden was Obama’s vice president, and the whole thing looked like a nostalgic family reunion from the outside.
“Barack and Michelle, welcome home,” said Biden, who spoke of the Obamas as one of the most important presidents and one of the most important first ladies in US history. “You gave hope to millions of people who had been disadvantaged for a very long time,” said the incumbent head of state.
Razor sharp – down to the last gray hair
Then the Obamas pulled large panels of blue fabric from their portrait paintings, which until then had been kept top secret. The artist Robert McCurdy painted Barack Obama in a dark suit against a bright white background. At first glance, the oil painting looks like a razor-sharp photograph. The artist has also portrayed the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela in this photorealistic way.
“You can see he refused to hide any of my gray hairs. He also ignored my request to paint my ears smaller,” Obama joked – and, then seriously again, described the presidency as a relay race:
There are nights when we lie awake wondering if this or that decision was the right one. You do your best. And in the end you pass the baton that you initially took on to someone else.
The portraits are by Robert McCurdy, who captured Barack Obama on canvas, and by Sharon Sprung, who painted the former First Lady.
Image: AP
A name is kept secret
An allusion to Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, whose name was never directly mentioned in the live speeches. Trump had refused the Obamas a reception at the White House to unveil their portraits. Michelle Obama also alluded to this. Her colorful portrait, painted by Sharon Sprung, shows the ex-First Lady in a strapless light blue dress on a red sofa. “Traditions like this are important,” said Michelle. “Not only for the officials, but for all people in this country who participate in democracy.”
It is not yet clear when the portraits of Donald and Melania Trump will move into the White House and be seen up close during tours. Only this much is known: The Trumps commissioned their painting.