Picturing the Obamas
Viewers learn from curators, journalists and art critics about the ways in which the Obamas’ portraits commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery disrupt traditional presidential portraiture and spur museums to reach new audiences. The paintings of the ex-commander in chief and first lady, by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, were revealed to much fanfare at the National Portrait Gallery in 2018. The portraits — which drew record attendance to the Washington art museum — have since traveled the country as part of a nationwide exhibition.
Cast
Kehinde Wiley
Self
Barack Obama
Self
Michelle Obama
Self
Storyline
Viewers learn from curators, journalists and art critics about the ways in which the Obamas’ portraits commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery disrupt traditional presidential portraiture and spur museums to reach new audiences. The paintings of the ex-commander in chief and first lady, by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, were revealed to much fanfare at the National Portrait Gallery in 2018. The portraits — which drew record attendance to the Washington art museum — have since traveled the country as part of a nationwide exhibition.
Recommended
Becoming
2020
Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction
2013
Halftime
2022
Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King
2020
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
2008
American Symphony
2023
Primary
1960
That's Entertainment!
1974
As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
2000
Whitney: Can I Be Me
2017
One Direction: This Is Us
2013
Justin Bieber's Believe
2013
More Like This
Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
2006
Uncounted
2008
The 44th President: In His Own Words
2017
Primary
1960
Meet the Trumps: From Immigrant to President
2017
Jack Paar: Smart Television
2003
Playing POTUS
2026
Fahrenheit 9/11
2004
The Obama Years: The Power of Words
2017
The Revenge of Bernadette Chirac
2023
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
2008
American Factory: A Conversation with the Obamas
2019