President Obama and Mrs. Obama had their National Portrait Gallery paintings unveiled today. His was by the artist Kehinde Wiley and hers by the artist Amy Sherald, both African American, the first of their race to be commissioned by the Smithsonian to paint the official portraits of a President and First Lady.
I love how bold and unconventional these likenesses are, how thoughtful their subjects, how substantial and dignified. Good Lord, I miss these two.
Truly, we did not deserve them, but they served the nation with courage and integrity anyway. 'Cause that's just who they are. And now, they wear the minutes more lightly, and they earned that. They can't save us anymore. We have to save ourselves.
Wow! So, so stunning! I love his especially. But they are both beautiful and yes, oh my god- we HAD them- and all I have to do is think about that and how magnificent they were in the White House and once again, I cry.
ReplyDeleteI want to cry every time I see them. We were indeed lucky to know the integrity and dignity they brought.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
I miss them too! As Joni sings, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone." (Though some of us DID know how wonderful they were, even while he was in office.) I love his portrait. I like the pose in hers, and the draping of her dress, but I have to say I don't think it quite looks like her.
ReplyDeleteI love his more than hers, I have to admit. And I especially loved his once I read the meaning of the flowers, etc. They are both simply magnificent people; no question.
ReplyDeleteThese portraits are wonderful, and I hadn't seen them until your post. Unconventional, but so beautiful, and fitting. Your last paragraph just about made me cry.
ReplyDeleteI miss them. I sincerely miss the country we had when they were in the White House.
ReplyDeleteI love the paintings and loved their leadership. I don't think they ever would have "saved us." I think that's a construct -- that someone or something is going to save us. No more big daddy or big mama, I think. We DO have to save ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe how much I have missed you and your fabulous writing! And I miss the Obamas sooo much. I love their portraits AND the little historical tidbit on the quilts. How cool is that?!?
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