Politics

Obama’s Presidential Portrait Places Him Squarely In….The Bushes?

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Robert Donachie Capitol Hill and Health Care Reporter
Font Size:

Former President Barack Obama’s presidential portrait made its big reveal Monday at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery leaving many with one question: why is the president sitting in the bushes?

The former president is depicted sitting in a dark wooden chair amid a backdrop of thick green foliage and flowers. Wearing a black suit and white button down shirt, Obama is staring off into space with a pensive countenance.

While a few in the audience made a few audible cheers, many somewhat tepidly clapped as they tried to figure out exactly what was going on in the painting.

Obama commended artist Kehinde Wiley for his work, and made a few jokes about the process leading up to his portrait.

“There were a number of issues that we were trying to negotiate. I tried to negotiate less gray hair. Kehinde’s artistic integrity wouldn’t allow him to do what I asked. I tried to negotiate smaller ears. Struck out on that as well. Maybe the one area where there were some concessions was as I said before, Kehinde often takes ordinary people and elevates them, puts them up and puts them in these fairly elaborate settings. His initial impulse was also to elevate me and put me in the settings with partridges and scepters,” Obama said at the unveiling.

“I had to explain that I have enough political problems without you making me look like Napoleon. We have to bring it down a touch,” Obama said. “And that’s what he did. It is hard to judge something that is a portrait of you. What I can say unequivocally is I am in awe of — I am in awe of Kehinde’s gifts.”

Follow Robert Donachie on Twitter and Facebook

Send tips to robert@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Freedom of Speech Isn’t Free
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.