Politics

Everyone Is Noticing One Very Creepy Thing About The Obama Portrait

Benny Johnson Columnist, Viral Politics
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Former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled their official portraits at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Monday morning, and the internet properly freaked out.

The reveals received mixed reactions online. The art community has begun leveling some scathing critiques of the works.  Both paintings were completed by unique, highly stylized artists. Obama chose Kehinde Wiley as his painter. Wiley’s style is described as flamboyant and regal. Michelle chose Baltimore artist Amy Sherald, who is known for a painting style which often nods to social justice.

These are the final results:

Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald

Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

The rather non-traditional portraits are inspiring a series of conspiracy theories, jokes and further oddities.

One of them has to do with the way Obama’s left hand is painted. Some have claimed that the former President’s hand was painted with six fingers. Others are saying it is just the lighting on the President’s palm.

Here is the hand in question:

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

Here are some of the critiques:

So, what do you think?

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

President Barack Obama/Kehinde Wiley

Just another day on the internet.