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Mr. Obama is by artist Kehinde Wiley and Mrs. Obama was done by artist Amy Sherald.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/arts/design/obama-portrait.htmlI think Michelle’s arms and fingers are too long. But I like the portrait up close better than watching them unveil it at a distance. It looks more like her now that I see it like this. Still not sure of proportions though (head). Like the dress and how it was used almost geometrically. Negative space. Still think the painting and subject could have had more “punch”. Not much personality or hint of it here. More like an enigma. Dulled strength. But maybe First Ladies are not suppose to compete/ show a lot of individuality as it is really about the president. Unsure. But to me a portrait should hint at a personality or something. Otherwise it is like a fashion shoot, I have to agree with the author of the article below.
I think the President’s portrait does have punch and will stand out with no problem.
Even if he is almost overwhelmed by greenery competing for attention. It feels more daring and I am familiar with that artist so I knew it would be busy with intense detail. I think it is gorgeous though. Likeness is fabulous and the glowing. Beautiful! Like the symbolism of the plants too. Although he looks like he is floating a bit in leaves. In the future people may wonder about that. A nod to the environment maybe? I don’t think the artist meant that, but those plants are about to swallow him!:cat:
Love that they chose black artists as well.I don’t mean for this to turn into a political thread. Simply about portraiture and representing a subject, and especially important historical figures for the future. I like to see how artists choose to handle it.
What are your thoughts?~Christine
🇨🇦I don’t like either of them. Barack’s looks a little more like him than Michelle’s does her. Barack’s looks contrived with all that greenery. I’m not sure he’s grounded in that greenery, looks almost like he could be floating. Michelle’s dress is nice but the face does not look like her. Also, her skin color looks dead to me. It would have looked better if her complexion had more color like Barack’s. When I first saw them, my thought was that I could have done better and I never, never say that about any of my art compared to another artist’s work.
Quwatha Valentine
Again, stay out of politics is a good police, and let’s critique the art work.
Both of the subjects were aware of the artist’s style or technique, I am sure. So there is a reason why they chose those artists.
For instance, the painter who painted the former president is well known for painting greenery and flowers around the sitters. And the other artist is also known for painting subjects on a grayed mood and no vibrant colors or strong values. They look like advertising paintings in a way.
I am glad that someone brought this subject to WC since we can learn the technique of other artists.
Personally, I don’t like why the former president is competing with the leaves around him, and why is he floating? I am sure if we would have done something like this we would have been criticized at WC! The former first lady does not look like her and she looks flat. If I am very picky, her eyes do not match her gaze. The reason of the long arms, is a custom which dates the time of John Sargent, who was the master in stylizing women portraying them with long arm and long necks.
Deplorable. Another glaring example American culture and its never-ending assault on beauty and truth. What a cruel joke, “modern art.”
BINGO . . .
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]"God is dead." —Nietzsche
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