February 12, 2018

Forget Infrastructure Week. Start Your Monday With the Obamas’ Official Portraits.

The Smithsonian unveiled new paintings of the former first couple—and they did not disappoint.

AP

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The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery unveiled the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama on Monday. The paintings were created by renowned artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively. They are the first African American artists to be commissioned by the gallery to paint official portraits of a former president or first lady.

Take a look at the stunning works below:

Abaca Press/AP
Olivier Douliery/AP

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This is a big one for us. So, as we ask you to consider supporting our team's journalism, we thought we'd slow down and check in about where Mother Jones is and where we're going after the chaotic last several years. This comparatively slow moment is also an urgent one for Mother Jones: You can read more in "Slow News Is Good News," and if you're able to, please support our team's hard-hitting journalism and help us reach our big $350,000 goal with a donation today.

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