Barack Obama, wife Michelle Obama return to White House. Here's why

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama disclosed their official portrait look in the White House on Wednesday. The Obamas returned to the White House on this occasion punctuated by witticism but tinged with politics and history four years after being disparaged by Donald Trump.

Both paintings were ordained to hang along with other generations of earlier first couples in the White House. While the Obamas unveiled the paintings, the packed East
Room burst into loud cheers.

Who painted former President Barack Obama’s portrait in the White House?

Barack Obama, the first Black president of the USA, was drawn by Robert McCurdy, an American painter. He depicted Obama looking straight out in his dark suit contrasting against the white background, posing hands in pockets.

After inaugurating his own portrait, Obama joked that McCurdy’s sharp lines on the painting indicated that he refused to hide any of Obama’s grey hairs.
Who painted former first lady Michelle Obama’s portrait for the White House?

Michelle Obama’s portrait was created by Sharon Sprung, an award-winning oil painting artist. The former first lady appeared in the portrait in a light blue gown, sitting on a red sofa. It took Sprung nine months to complete the painting.

Michelle Obama paid a powerful homage to US democracy as she said that these traditions matter a lot as they allow passing the torch between successive even opponent administrations.

Why did it take so long to hang the portraits of the Obamas in the White House?

It is the tradition of the White House to have portraits of past presents and first ladies in its halls and corridors hosted by successors. For example, Democrat Obama hosted Republican George Bush and his wife Laura Bush’s portraits in 2012.

However, former President Donald Trump refused to invite the Obamas due to unconcealed contempt between these leaders in the wake of the Republicans during 2016’s shocking election win by Trump. As a consequence, the tradition grounded to a halt.

As for Donald Trump, the Biden administration didn’t say whether or when his portrait would be hosted.