For the first time in five years, Barack and Michelle Obama returned to the White House. During their return, the former President and First Lady were honored with White House portraits. Robert McCurdy depicted the nation’s 44th President by placing him in a black suit with a white tie in front of a white background. Meanwhile, Sharon Sprung portrayed the nation’s former First Lady sitting on a red bench with an elegant blue dress.
As the portraits were unveiled, Barack Obama praised McCurdy’s work. In his words, McCurdy “paints people the way they are, for better or worse.”
“He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt. You’ll note that he refused to hide any of my gray hairs, and refused my request to make my ears smaller. He also talked me out of wearing a tan suit, by the way,” the nation’s former President said.
“His work is so precise that at first glance it looks like a photograph.”
The nation’s sitting President and former Vice President, Joe Biden, was on hand for the Obamas’ return to the White House. He reflected on the couple’s time in the White House and accomplishments since leaving the nation’s capital.
“You both generated hope for millions of people who were left behind for so long — and it matters. You both did it with such grace and such class,” Biden said.
“It’s so underestimated … just having hope. This is the gift of the Obama presidency to the country and to history.”
