Posted on 02/13/2018 1:28:12 PM PST by COUNTrecount
While the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled Monday were applauded by the art world—for their intense visual impact as much as the choice of Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, artists who are both critical darlings and the first African-Americans to paint presidential portraits commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery—there was plenty for the Twitterati to snark about. The wall of greenery behind President Obama was an obvious opening for jokes about his history with marijuana and Sean Spicer hiding in the White House bushes. Criticism of Michelle Obama’s portrait centered around two points. The face didn’t look much like her; some suggested it more closely resembles Kerry Washington, who plays a high-powered White House operative on Scandal. And the face—whoever it belonged to—was overshadowed by the striking, floor-length dress.
But there’s a reason for both of those criticisms: The dress is what says the most in this portrait, far more than the indistinct face.
First, the criticism about the lack of resemblance to the former first lady comes as no surprise to those of us familiar with the work of Sherald, a Baltimore-based artist. While she is best known for her stylized portraits of African-American women, they aren’t really portraits they depict anonymous subjects, under evocative titles contrasting grayscale skin tones against colorful clothing and a monochrome background. The neutral palette challenges racial stereotypes, while the flat plane evokes American folk art, At the unveiling, Sherald described the composition as “the act of Michelle Obama being her authentic self”—suggesting that she was aiming for something more than a mere superficial resemblance.
Secondly, there’s a reason why Obama’s face is the least interesting element here: The dress is as much a window into the former first lady’s identity as her face, and possibly a more accurate one.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Which head?.......
What was seen can never be unseen.
Should I retch or laugh? That is the question?
“same-sex scenes” and “gender fluid”
So, Moo really is Michael with the overly full skirt hiding that fact.
LOL!!!! Good one!
Another FReeper said it looked like the test page of an HP printer.
The trombone player with that “what in the bleep?” expression on his face!
If the #MeToo’s saw that, they would be fit to be tied!
Does anyone have any information re the 2 dogs in the Obama household. Are they still alive?
After all the bad publicity, those will never hang in the Smithsonian. Other portraits will quietly replace them. So sad. I’d rather have those monstrosities on display for the next generations to see.
![](https://i.redditmedia.com/ZXa4dFDmkYlqh0eVkxpG2aPZ96oRj2TYbmbjd_gaFCc.jpg?w=441&s=cc3f9ec7b97730eb84adc30ef8761fbf")
lol
WTH happened to the fabulous toned arms?
They are both just awful.
The paintings suck too.
Oh and in reality her hands reach well past her feet.
Were these done on black velvet? If not, why not???
Why does Barry have WyPiPo hair?
Can you say “The dogs were “invited” to a BBQ” by Clown Seditionist nobama. Yummy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.