Come one, come all to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston! Enjoy the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery tour of portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald.
Why are these portraits so special? If you take a look at previous presidential portraits, you’ll see the difference pretty quickly. The Obamas are portrayed in a much less formal environment than most political figures. The art is almost whimsical, a stark contrast to the very traditional portraits of the past. At about seven feet tall, these paintings definitely make an impact.
The President
The flowers in “Barack Obama” hold a special significance to the Obama family. Can you spot the chrysanthemums (the official flower of Chicago)? Jasmine flowers represent Hawaii, where Barack Obama grew up, and the African lilies come from Kenya. Take a look at some examples of previous Presidents…
Abraham Lincoln.
G.P. Alexander, 1869.
Harry S. Truman.
M.G. Kempton, 1947.
John F. Kennedy.
A. Shikler, 1970.
The First Lady
In her portrait, Mrs. Obama wears a dress by popular New York designer Michelle Smith. You can just feel the elegance and grace radiating from this portrait. Historically, First Ladies have been pictured in formal gowns, so Obama’s choice of wardrobe feels like an exceptionally modern take. Take a look at some examples of previous First Ladies…
Mary Doud Eisenhower. T.E. Stevens, 1959. 
Lady Bird Johnson.
E. Shoumatoff, 1968.
Nancy Reagan.
A. Shikler, 1987.
The Obama portraits were originally unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2018 and have since taken residence in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. The Obamas Portrait Tour runs until May 30, 2022 at our Museum of Fine Arts Houston reflects on historical portraiture and its relationship to power, identity, status, and legacy.