The museum collects multiple images of the presidents and first ladies but also commissions a set of portraits. It’s the only place outside the White House where visitors can view a complete collection of presidential portraits. s.si.edu/2Bl2Cme
See our thread on presidential portraiture at @NPG and the #ObamaPortraits from last week:
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"Ultimately these portraits will live to serve those millions of future visitors looking for a mentor, some inspiration and a sense of community." — @NPG Director @KimSajet#myNPG#ObamaPortraits
Smithsonian Secretary @DavidJSkorton: "Presidential portraits have a particular power to capture the public imagination, to move people to think about America’s leaders—and, indeed, American society itself—in new and unexpected ways." #ObamaPortraits#myNPG
"As First Lady, [Michelle Obama] helped give African American artists a greater presence on the walls of the White House—a commitment that her selection of Amy Sherald to paint her portrait reflects, and one that we at the Smithsonian here are proud to share." — @DavidJSkorton
Former First Lady @MichelleObama: “I am humbled. I am honored. I am proud. But most of all, I am so incredibly grateful for all the people who came before me on this journey—the folks who built the foundation on which I stand.”
Artist Amy Sherald, who painted @MichelleObama: "Once my paintings are complete the model no longer lives in that painting as themselves. I see something bigger, more symbolic, an archetype." #ObamaPortraits#myNPG
"When future generations look back at this presidency, I believe that Kehinde Wiley’s portrait will give them a unique window—in the way that only presidential portraits can—a window into both the man and the moment when he led with such distinction." — @DavidJSkorton
“I am in awe of Kehinde’s gifts and what he and Amy have given to this country and the world. We are both very grateful to be subject of their attention for this brief moment.” — President @BarackObama#ObamaPortraits#myNPG
“This is our ability to say: I matter. I was here. To be the first African American painter to paint the first African American president of the United States...It doesn’t get any better than that.” — @kehindewileyart, who painted President @BarackObama#myNPG#ObamaPortraits
Both portraits will be on view starting Feb. 13—his permanently in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and hers in the museum’s “Recent Acquisitions” corridor through early November 2018. #myNPG#ObamaPortraits