Barack Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, have returned to the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits…more than five years after the former president left office.
Wednesday’s event was hosted by current US President Joe Biden, who served two terms as Obama’s vice president.
BIDEN: “There are few people I have known with more integrity, more decency, and more courage than Barack Obama… Nothing could have better prepared him to be President of the United States than to be by your side for eight years. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”
in turn, Obama made the lodge of the current commander-in-chief.
BARACK “Because of your decency and your strength, perhaps especially your faith in our democracy and in the American people, the country is better than when you took office and we should all be deeply grateful to you.”
Artist Robert McCurdy has placed an Obama in a gray suit at the center of his canvas, in a photorealistic portrait against a white background.
Michelle Obama, in her portrait, is depicted in a blue dress in the Red Room of the White House, in a painting by Brooklyn artist Sharon Sprung.
The former First Lady reflected on the wider impact portraits of the couple can have.
MICHELLE: “…What we see is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in this country…this day is not about me or Barack. It’s not even about those beautiful paintings .It’s about telling that fuller story, a story that includes every American in every corner of the country so that our children and grandchildren can see something more for themselves.”
Usually, a former president returns for the unveiling of the portrait during his successor’s term, but Donald Trump’s administration has not held a ceremony for the Obamas.
Before winning the 2016 election and succeeding Obama, Donald Trump was a long-time supporter of the “birther” movement which incorrectly suggested that Obama was not born in the United States and should not be president.
Large official portraits of the presidents and first ladies of the United States adorn the walls, hallways and rooms of the White House.