Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have unveiled the first official painted portrait depicting them together, marking a new chapter in the public presentation of their legacy as the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open in Chicago.
The large-scale artwork, titled “The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026,” was created by acclaimed artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby and will be displayed in the Hope and Change Lobby of the Obama Presidential Center. The portrait was revealed just days before the center’s public opening on Chicago’s South Side.
Unlike previous official portraits of the former president and first lady, this work places the couple together in a single composition. The painting blends personal history, family memories and symbols from their years in public service. It is the first official commissioned portrait to feature the pair side by side.
The portrait spans more than nine feet high and ten feet wide. Akunyili Crosby, a Nigerian-born artist based in Los Angeles, is known for richly layered works that combine photography, painting and cultural references. For this commission, she spent months researching the Obamas’ lives and examining artifacts connected to their personal and political journeys.
A Portrait Filled With Personal History
The artwork includes numerous visual references that tell the story of the couple’s lives together. Observers can spot images connected to Michelle Obama’s childhood home, keepsakes gathered during Barack Obama’s presidency, cultural influences and moments from their marriage.
According to the Obama Foundation, the portrait was designed to honor both the couple’s path to the White House and their continuing impact on future generations. The painting incorporates layered imagery from the Civil Rights Movement, the Obama administration, Chicago landmarks and people who influenced their lives.
During a video shared by the foundation, the Obamas viewed the completed work for the first time and reacted emotionally to its details.
“It’s us and all of the stories within the story,” Michelle Obama said while examining the painting.
She later added, “Oh my God, you got everything in there.”
Barack Obama also expressed admiration for the artist’s work and joked about one of the painting’s visual elements. In remarks released by the foundation, he praised the portrait’s energy and complexity while appreciating the many personal references woven throughout the composition.
Center Set to Open
The unveiling comes as the Obama Presidential Center nears its long-awaited opening. The sprawling campus has been years in development and is intended to serve as a community gathering place, museum and educational destination rather than a traditional presidential library.
The portrait is expected to become one of the center’s signature attractions. Visitors entering the Hope and Change Lobby will be greeted by a visual narrative that reflects both the public accomplishments and private experiences of one of the nation’s most recognizable political couples.
Through its layered imagery and intimate details, the work captures a shared story that stretches from Chicago neighborhoods to the White House and back again.