Experiencing the portraits of America s first Black president and first lady at the de Young Museum helps cement their significance in American culture.
so bringing it down just a touch is still very colorful and exciting and vibrant portrait. last quick question, because i loved actually hearing former president obama talking about what he had in common with the artist and talking about their american mothers and how they both shared this being on a path and obviously the president took one direction and he talked about using words and discovering that versus kahende using art. but there was a moment when the president mentioned just, you know, the white house and missing his staff. what did he say, kate? there s clearly some there was some reminiscing. there was a lot of thanks going around in the crowd. we saw david axelrod and robert gibbs and other friends. certainly the obamas are nostalgic for their white house, probably not enough to spend a lot of time still in the spotlight, but they certainly acknowledge the friends that were in the audience today and those who supported them in
the obamas emerging back on the public stage today for an historic unveiling. the 44th president of the united states and his former first lady were at the national portrait gallery in washington to unwrap their official portraits. michelle obama went first, revealing the work of baltimore-based artist amy sherold. she was followed by her husband. the former president joked he s never had a portrait done except his high school yearbook picture and that was, to quote him, no great shakes. joining me with more is cnn white house reporter, kate bennett. so talk us through the highlights of the morning. well, i think the main highlights today were just how different and sort of unique both of these portraits were. certainly, you know, not the normal, traditional portrait we re used to seeing. both of these artists were chosen because they you know, they re very culturally aware. the president and the first lady really enjoyed their time with
them. it was an interesting process for michelle obama to decide on amy sherold. more than two dozen artists submitted their portfolios to be considered for this, but michelle obama said right away when they knew she knew that amy was going to be the right artist for her because they had her over to the white house and they did an interview with her. this is the moment she knew. let s take a listen. maybe it was the moment she came in and she looked at barack and she said, well, mr. president, i m real excited to be here and i know i m being considered for both portraits, she said, but, mrs. obama, she physically turned to me, and she said i m really hoping that you and i can work together. that s funny. and also, brooke, obama was in great form today too, barack obama, her husband. he was really joking around quite a bit. you can tell they re very relaxed coming out of the white house and this is a very fun