Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama unveil their official White House portraits during a ceremony at the White House on September 7, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) WASHINGTON - The Obamas returned to the White House for the first time together since they left in 2017.
Barack and Michelle Obama will have their official portraits unveiled Wednesday, reviving a tradition last celebrated 10 years ago.President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff were among the guests attending the ceremony. "Barack and Michelle, welcome home," President Joe Biden said before he invited the Obamas to the stage to unveil the portraits.
Some in the audience gasped, others applauded."It's great to be back," Obama said when it was his turn to speak. He praised Biden — his vice president — as someone who became a "true partner and a true friend."RELATED: Barack Obama wins Emmy for narrating national park seriesThe artist whom Barack Obama selected to paint his portrait says the "stripped down" style of his works helps create an "encounter" between the person in the painting and the person looking at it.The Obama portraits at the Chicago Institute of Arts in July 2021, as part of a five-city tour organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.