Semonti Stephens, the deputy press secretary for Mrs. Obama, said that the painting had been intended to go in the first lady’s office and that the the decision not to put it there was made only because its dimensions did not work in the space in which it was to hang.
"Effective today, thar shall be no artwork, mirrors, companionways, or female crew displayed in any way that presents an unfavorable comparison to the beam of the 1st lady, measured amidships and at deck height, or any other impression of her recorded athwartships that is equal to or more than twice that of the House Master"