Barack And Michelle Obama's Official Portraits Are Proving Divisive

People have opinions.

Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama’s official portraits were unveiled on Monday at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

Michelle Obama’s portrait, painted by Amy Sherald, was unveiled first:

Jim Bourg / Reuters
Jim Bourg / Reuters

Then came the former president’s portrait, painted by Kehinde Wiley:

Jim Bourg / Reuters
Jim Bourg / Reuters

Each of the Obamas spoke during Monday’s event.

The former first lady spoke of her late father, who she says “sacrificed everything to give me and my brother the opportunities he never dreamed for himself”.

She also said she was “thinking about all of the young people, particularly girls and girls of color, who in years ahead will come to this place and they will look up and they will see an image of someone who looks like them hanging on the wall”.

Both Obamas chose black artists who’ve been praised by Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery.

“Both have achieved enormous success as artists, but even more, they make art that reflects the power and potential of portraiture in the 21st century,” Sajet said.

Former President Obama praised Sherald for her work on his wife’s portrait, which he said captured “the grace, intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman I love.”

Obama also praised Wiley, saying he’s “in awe” of the artist’s gifts.

To some, the backdrop to the ex-president’s portrait looked familiar.

Obama's new portrait looks awfully familiar... pic.twitter.com/S5wenGJTPq

— Colleen Wordock (@cwordock) February 12, 2018

This is all I can think about with Obama's portrait pic.twitter.com/hPEsrjO0Pt

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) February 12, 2018

While others questioned the likeness of the former first lady to her painting.

This is a beautiful portrait. It looks very little like Michelle Obama pic.twitter.com/1CsRrWIJtN

— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) February 12, 2018

That... portrait... does not look like Michelle Obama

— Monique Judge (@thejournalista) February 12, 2018

Am I the only one who thinks that Michelle’s portrait doesn’t look like her? Art is hard. https://t.co/VHraLn4aT7

— Gayle Trotter (@gayletrotter) February 12, 2018

Some just straight-up didn’t like them.

President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s portraits were just unveiled. Is it a joke? #NotMyPortrait pic.twitter.com/fIPrIbM7Yd

— Bill Colona (@BillColona) February 12, 2018

Though others thought it was useful to have some context of the Sherald’s previous work.

People snarking on the Michelle Obama portrait should really take 2 minutes to see it in the context of Amy Sherald's other portraits. pic.twitter.com/CbDYTFey4V

— Schooley (@Rschooley) February 12, 2018

I know a lot of people are saying that the Michelle Obama portrait doesn't look like her, but that could just be that Sherald's style is pretty subtle with details unless you look up close. Here's a better look: pic.twitter.com/IM4wXXGe6H

— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 12, 2018

And that likeness wasn’t the point.

Yes Amy Sherald’s Michelle portrait doesn’t look exactly like her. So what? It’s not a photo. It’s Amy’s style and the overall sense of the painting conveys the essence of Michelle—graceful, lovely, elegant, beautiful.

— Touré (@Toure) February 12, 2018

To you people who are really confident with your "this doesn't look like her" shit: Sit down. Close your eyes. Think about Michelle Obama. Now think about what Michelle Obama represents. Now think about the embodied essence of "Michelle Obama." Now open your eyes. Here she is.

— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) February 12, 2018
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