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The Obama Portraits

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( 157 ratings, 20 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Obama Portraits celebrates the captivating artworks of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Featuring Kehinde Wiley's and Amy Sherald's striking paintings, this richly illustrated volume explores the making, meaning, and cultural impact of these historic portraits. Includes exclusive images of the Obamas during their sittings, photos from the unveiling ceremony, and a transcript of the event. Published in association with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, it highlights how these portraits have transformed modern American portraiture and inspired widespread public response.
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Format: Hardback
$6499
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Ideal for art and culture enthusiasts, historians, portraiture fans, and readers interested in contemporary American history and the Obamas' legacy.

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A richly illustrated celebration of the paintings of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A richly illustrated celebration of the paintings of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

From the moment of their unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in early 2018, the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama have become two of the most beloved artworks of our time. Kehinde Wiley's portrait of President Obama and Amy Sherald's portrait of the former first lady have inspired unprecedented responses from the public, and attendance at the museum has more than doubled as visitors travel from near and far to view these larger-than-life paintings. After witnessing a woman drop to her knees in prayer before the portrait of Barack Obama, one guard said, 'No other painting gets the same kind of reactions. Ever.' The Obama Portraits is the first book about the making, meaning, and significance of these remarkable artworks.

Richly illustrated with images of the portraits, exclusive pictures of the Obamas with the artists during their sittings, and photos of the historic unveiling ceremony by former White House photographer Pete Souza, this book offers insight into what these paintings can tell us about the history of portraiture and American culture. The volume also features a transcript of the unveiling ceremony, which includes moving remarks by the Obamas and the artists. A reversible dust jacket allows readers to choose which portrait to display on the front cover.

An inspiring history of the creation and impact of the Obama portraits, this fascinating book speaks to the power of art - especially portraiture - to bring people together and promote cultural change.

Published in association with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"With copious photos, the book The Obama Portraits details the creation of the paintings while delving into the significance of their unprecedented popularity." — Reagan Upshaw, Washington Post

"Attendance at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has more than doubled since the unveiling of the Obama portraits. This book sheds new light on the creation and impact of these artworks, including exclusive photographs of the Obamas during their sittings." — Elizabeth Winker, Wall Street Journal

"An undeniably exciting release, full of behind-the-scenes photographs, interviews with the artists, and more." — Leah B, Powell’s Book Blog

"These extraordinary paintings don’t look like typical official portraits, signalling a changed approach to portraiture." — Kim Sajet & Cal Revely-Calder, The Telegraph

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691203287

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 11 February 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 76 color illus.

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 178.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 152

About the Author

Tana Caragol is curator of painting and sculpture and Latino art and history at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Dorothy Moss is curator of painting and sculpture at the National Portrait Gallery, where she also directs the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition and serves as coordinating curator of the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative. Richard J. Powell is the John Spencer Bassett Professor of Art and Art History at Duke University and the author of Cutting a Figure: Fashioning Black Portraiture and Black Art: A Cultural History, among other books. Kim Sajet is director of the National Portrait Gallery.

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