Obama, Biden reunited at White House for unveiling of presidential portrait

President Biden welcomed his old boss back to the White House o Wednesday for the unveiling of the presidential portrait of Barack Obama, the nation’s 44th commander-in-chief.

Obama was joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama for the couple’s first postpresidency joint appearance at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., where they resided from 2009 through 2017. A portrait of Michelle Obama by artist Sharon Sprung was also introduced at the ceremony.

Former President Barack Obama looks at his official White House portrait with former first lady Michelle Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/)

It’s been a decade since the traditional unveiling of a presidential portrait took place. Prior to Wednesday’s event, a presidential portrait was last hung on a White House wall in 2012, when the Obamas welcomed former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush.

First Lady Jill Biden was on hand Wednesday to greet the Obamas.

Trump says he won’t attend Biden’s inauguration

Wednesday’s ceremony took place in the East Room, which is where Obama presented then-Veep Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017.

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama unveil their official White House portraits during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/)

Artist Robert McCurdy, whose works are known for resembling photographs, painted Obama’s portrait. The Pennsylvania native has also depicted Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela and Toni Morrison. His Obama portrait features the two-term president standing in front of a white backdrop, wearing a black suit and gray tie. The former president joked that his portrait was maybe “precise” to a fault.

“He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt,” Obama said of the finished product. “You’ll note that he refused to hide any of my gray hairs — refused my request to make my ears smaller.”

While the Obamas’ portrait unveilings marked a return to tradition, it also signified a White House first: never before have a Black president and first lady had their portraits displayed in the executive mansion.

The former first lady said Wednesday that despite having lived in the White House, she was struck by the feeling of returning to the historic residence and seeing her portrait looking back at her.

“Traditions like this matter, not just for those of us who hold these positions, but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy,” Michelle Obama said.

Donald Trump sitting out White House Correspondents’ Dinner, blames press

The unveiling of a predecessor’s portrait was one of many customs that former President Donald Trump shunned. He also skipped Biden’s 2021 inauguration, which was preceded by an attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump loyalists. Trump continues to falsely claim that he won the 2020 election.

In attendance for Wednesday’s unveiling were Obama’s former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former senior advisers Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod, and former Attorney General Eric Holder.

Biden praised Obama for being one of “the most consequential presidents in our history,” adding that he could not have earned the distinction without the support of his first lady.