D.C. gallery unveils Obamas’ portraits
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama stand onstage together as their official portraits are unveiled at a ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery on Monday in Washington. Barack Obama’s portrait was painted by artist Kehinde Wiley, and Michelle Obama’s portrait was painted by artist Amy Sherald.
Barack Obama said his former authority as the nation’s leader didn’t hold much sway when it came time for his presidential portrait.
At a ceremony Monday to unveil portraits of him and former first lady Michelle Obama, the former president said artist Kehinde Wiley cheerfully ignored almost all of his suggestions. “He listened very thoughtfully to what I had to say before doing exactly what he always intended to do,” he said. “I tried to negotiate less gray hair but Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow it. I tried to negotiate smaller ears and struck out on that as well.” The final product depicts Obama sitting in a straight-backed chair, leaning forward and looking serious while surrounded by greenery and flowers. Michelle Obama’s portrait, painted by Amy Sherald, shows her in a black-and-white dress looking thoughtful with her hand on her chin. Both artists were personally chosen by the Obamas. The portraits will now hang in the National Portrait Gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian group of museums. The gallery has a complete collection of presidential portraits. A different set of portraits of the former first couple will eventually hang in the White House. The former president drew multiple laughs from the audience for his remarks, starting out by praising Sherald for capturing, “the grace and beauty and charm and hotness of the woman that I love.” But, Obama said he found the process of sitting for the portrait to be a frustrating experience. “I don’t like posing. I get impatient and start looking at my watch,” he said, “but working with Kehinde was a great joy.”
Tony Award-winning actress Betty Buckley has been tapped to lead the national tour of the latest Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! a gig she calls “such a gift.” “I’m just so happy to take such a happy show all around America. It’s like ‘Make America Happy Again,’” Buckley said Monday. “It’s like an antidote.” Buckley will star as matchmaker and schemer Dolly Levi in the production that won four Tony Awards last year, including best revival on Broadway and best actress in a musical for Bette Midler, who also played Levi. Buckley saw the show with Midler this winter and “was in rapture,” sitting in the second row and weeping. The production was “one of the most joyous pieces of musical theater I have ever experienced.” Producer Scott Rudin reached out, and Buckley didn’t need much persuading, citing the cast, production values and costume designs. “I’m such a fan of this production, and I’m such a fan of Bette’s that it never occurred to me that it was something I would be invited to do.” The tour kicks off Oct. 2 at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.