What”s the big deal about presidential portraits?

Everything, it turns out, is a big deal when it comes to presidential portraits. Former US president Barack Obama had his done by portraitist Kehinde Wiley. His wife Michelle’s was done by artist Amy Sherald. Both artists are the first blacks whose presidential portraits are to enter the National Portraits Gallery, which has portraits of […]

Everything, it turns out, is a big deal when it comes to presidential portraits.

Former US president Barack Obama had his done by portraitist Kehinde Wiley. His wife Michelle’s was done by artist Amy Sherald.

Both artists are the first blacks whose presidential portraits are to enter the National Portraits Gallery, which has portraits of every president going back to George Washington.

Both paintings adorn their rightful place at the Smithsonian, and their unveiling has been every bit as  big deal since they were commissioned.

By Washington standards, the portraits are two of the most anticipated works of art in years.

So why do portraits matter?

“Photographs are candids, but the portrait is a more careful, thoughtful, reading of a president and his personality,” Kate Lemay, a historian at the museum who curated the exhibition, told TIME magazine.

Cultire is one way of changing or dominating the world. America has been doing it, and the Obama administration held it up for eight years of his presidency.

‘During his time in the White House, President Obama literally and figuratively dropped the mic, got coffee in cars with comedians, made public Spotify playlists and sang "Amazing Grace" to soothe us when we needed it most,’ Deana Haggag wrote on CNN.

‘Meanwhile, we had a First Lady who rapped to keep kids in college, spread the word about healthy eating on "Sesame Street," joined Missy Elliot for some epic "Carpool Karaoke," and mom-danced on "The Tonight Show."

‘The Obamas knew how to deploy culture. And in those moments, we witnessed an administration unafraid to challenge tradition while simultaneously respecting the sanctity of government and its offices. The former first couple seemed to use every opportunity at their disposal to push contemporary life and culture forward.’

The portraits mark a pivotal time in the Obamas’ legacy and American history: America’s first black president, portraits of the first-ever black First Couple, painted black artists, the first black portraits to enter the Smithsonian. Their impact will be felt for years to come.