The pictures, painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, are vivid depictions by African American artists and will hang at the SmithsonianBarack Obama tried to negotiate less grey hair, he recalled, but Kehinde Wiley’s “artistic integrity” would not allow it. He tried to negotiate smaller ears but “struck out on that as well”. There was one area of concession, however: Wiley’s impulse to depict Obama on a throne, holding a sceptre or perhaps even riding a horse. “I had to explain that I’ve got enough political problems without you making me look like Napoleon!” Related: Kehinde Wiley: ‘Creating the portrait of Obama is a huge responsibility’ Continue reading…

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/feb/12/barack-obama-michelle-obama-national-portrait-gallery