H- wrote:
rick_pcfl wrote:
Wow. The picture of Barack looks like him, but the background really detracts. The article indicated that the photos are representative of Chicago, Hawaii, and Kenya where Obama's father is from. I can appreciate that, but still. .
That background makes me think he's saying "I not really part of this place" or "I'm different than the rest."
Here is a link to most portraits. Two portraits stand out from the rest: Obama and Kennedy.
There was a time when portrait artists gave clues about their subject through the subtle placement of small, seemingly normal, items in the composition. But I guess we are in the age when you have to shout everything.
Can't wait for Trump's portrait. It is gonna be the greatest ever. It will be bigger than all the rest. Huge. With real inlaid gold background. Real special.
I find it fascinating how the same picture can say different things to different people. In Obama's picture you say a claim of distinction and separation, I see a focus on context - Obama's immersion in and inability to break out of, society and historical forces. I love absolutely everything about Michelle's portrait (and overall prefer it to Obama's) except for her face where I have to agree with the consensus here. It's clearly her and very recognizable but it's far from a perfect likeness.
I live about a mile from the Brooklyn Museum which has exhibited a lot of Wiley's work and I've always liked it. Just to watch people's heads explode I really wish he'd reprised this pose for Obama:
"Are you sure we're going fast enough?" - Emil Zatopek