General Discussion

mopinko

(73,727 posts)

124. i would buy that if it wasnt his rigid style.

Wed Sep 7, 2022, 04:41 PM

Sep 2022

you have to have a recognizable style. but when it never changes, never wavers, there's no art there. it's mechanics.
not suitable for such a 1 of a kind human, imnsho.

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First look at Obama's portrait painted by Robert McCurdy [View all] Nevilledog Sep 2022 OP

WOW Me. Sep 2022 #1

+1 rogue emissary Sep 2022 #55

+2 proud patriot Sep 2022 #109

+3 lostnfound Sep 2022 #157

+4 TheBlackAdder Sep 2022 #173

+5 MustLoveBeagles Sep 2022 #174

I like it. Elegant. Like the man Walleye Sep 2022 #2

Yes. Straight on, here's looking at you. White background? He chose this artist for his other work Hekate Sep 2022 #74

So do I Rebl2 Sep 2022 #115

If so it looks like he's standing on the big white paper background rolls that are sometimes used electric_blue68 Sep 2022 #149

Well-said!! ailsagirl Sep 2022 #126

rly? a blank background? mopinko Sep 2022 #3

Here's Michelle's Nevilledog Sep 2022 #6

Love it!!! secondwind Sep 2022 #8

The artist really captures her beautiful arms. Aristus Sep 2022 #18

And graceful hands. tblue37 Sep 2022 #78

Beautiful. Both of them. Calming elegance question everything Sep 2022 #23

Weren't those for the National Gallery? kskiska Sep 2022 #49

yes, the National Portrait Gallery Celerity Sep 2022 #63

those were for the National Portrait Gallery, not the White House Celerity Sep 2022 #58

Do all first couples have two, or more portraits, one for the W.H., others question everything Sep 2022 #132

yes Celerity Sep 2022 #142

This message was self-deleted by its author kskiska Sep 2022 #64

I would have preferred those to the White House portraits. LudwigPastorius Sep 2022 #65

The National Portrait Gallery one of Michelle doesn't even look like her, imo. ShazzieB Sep 2022 #114

I agree with your comparison of the two portraits spooky3 Sep 2022 #125

me too. nt barbtries Sep 2022 #98

I was wondering the same thing. lobointexas Sep 2022 #147

I got to see these Dorian Gray Sep 2022 #176

She looks challenging. Intelligent. Glamorous. I love it. Hekate Sep 2022 #56

There's a hint of sauciness about Michelle's portrait...feminine yet taking care of business. nt allegorical oracle Sep 2022 #70

Lovely.. msfiddlestix Sep 2022 #99

Why not? secondwind Sep 2022 #7

cuz he's the 1st black president, and this is for history. mopinko Sep 2022 #13

I kind of feel like he is so stately he doesn't need a background. Maraya1969 Sep 2022 #25

Agree. And I am sure that he had a say in this question everything Sep 2022 #30

I agree. See my #50. wnylib Sep 2022 #51

McCurdy paints subjects focused right back at the viewer. No distractions, just the subject. nt allegorical oracle Sep 2022 #72

Yes, no background means no background distractions. I like it. William Seger Sep 2022 #82

What setting do you think would be appropriate? wnylib Sep 2022 #39

some itty bitty illusion to the wh, maybe. mopinko Sep 2022 #121

Do you think that the presence of the portrait in the WH wnylib Sep 2022 #139

i think a painting better stand on it's own. mopinko Sep 2022 #141

The contrast to the other portraits PlutosHeart Sep 2022 #159

This message was self-deleted by its author PlutosHeart Sep 2022 #160

I see Obama's complexity in this portrait. wnylib Sep 2022 #50

Yea. He stands alone and stands out. I like it. Maraya1969 Sep 2022 #53

I agree completely msfiddlestix Sep 2022 #102

Ah! I see what you mean... Formal and informal mix 👍 electric_blue68 Sep 2022 #152

In historical context, an all-white background seems perfect (n/t) William Seger Sep 2022 #83

THIS -- he's in what was formerly an all-white club. Qutzupalotl Sep 2022 #108

Tan would have been fun, but black is dramatic William Seger Sep 2022 #123

Definitely dramatic, and striking! electric_blue68 Sep 2022 #155

i would buy that if it wasnt his rigid style. mopinko Sep 2022 #124

it has nothing to do w the subject. mopinko Sep 2022 #140

I know, I've seen his work William Seger Sep 2022 #165

Ha, interesting! electric_blue68 Sep 2022 #154

I'd suggest that the 'all-white' background alludes to that history pretty appropriately, tbh.. Volaris Sep 2022 #167

except that's the guys sop. mopinko Sep 2022 #168

and as a painter, mopinko Sep 2022 #169

Themes vary. Not all WH portraits are the same lostnfound Sep 2022 #180

i dont hate his other work, tho mopinko Sep 2022 #182

The use of black and white in the portrait immediately struck me as an allusion to that. whopis01 Sep 2022 #184

that isnt the artist's choice, it's obama's. mopinko Sep 2022 #185

All I did was state what I see when I look at the painting. whopis01 Sep 2022 #188

well, i think my 2cents here i useful, mopinko Sep 2022 #192

I personally love it obamanut2012 Sep 2022 #62

Maybe it's a couple centuries of white background for the 1st Black President. Hermit-The-Prog Sep 2022 #68

Agree..the stark white background (the past) combined with the photorealistic image (the future). nt PunkinPi Sep 2022 #79

I could be wrong, but I think I get it. Grokenstein Sep 2022 #112

Agree they don't match. But they aren't hung together are they? Laura PourMeADrink Sep 2022 #134

Obama chose Robert McCurdy who is known for that. progressoid Sep 2022 #144

It's art, dahling. Embrace it. Politicub Sep 2022 #145

i'm a trained painter. i reject it. mopinko Sep 2022 #148

Stark ain't bad Bucky Sep 2022 #195

well, it's sort of like- meis was fine, it's the imitators that blow. mopinko Sep 2022 #196

Boring Cartoonist Sep 2022 #4

Perhaps Obama did not want a smile in the photograph secondwind Sep 2022 #12

Did he want a background? Cartoonist Sep 2022 #15

If he did, he would have chosen a painter who typically does them tishaLA Sep 2022 #57

He was a great POTUS, and a huge inspiration to those secondwind Sep 2022 #5

Looks more like a photo but I like it underpants Sep 2022 #9

it looks like a passport photo. mopinko Sep 2022 #14

That is Rebl2 Sep 2022 #118

They are both wonderful likenesses! 50 Shades Of Blue Sep 2022 #10

Wow! Metaphorical Sep 2022 #11

It captures him well Sanity Claws Sep 2022 #16

Wow blm Sep 2022 #17

no wonder trump wanted it hidden samnsara Sep 2022 #19

I like it ornotna Sep 2022 #20

minimizing the 1st black prez. who is this painter? mopinko Sep 2022 #21

ok, i did a bit more googling. mopinko Sep 2022 #29

Minimizing? There is nothing in the portrait to compete with Barack. Hermit-The-Prog Sep 2022 #80

+1 Celerity Sep 2022 #93

lol Celerity Sep 2022 #89

+💯 SergeStorms Sep 2022 #129

+1 Celerity Sep 2022 #130

How do you figure this is minimizing Obama? I think it's babylonsister Sep 2022 #107

i never see art in that style. mopinko Sep 2022 #119

:) We all experience art personally, so we can like, not like, all fine. Hortensis Sep 2022 #133

i'm a trained artist, so... mopinko Sep 2022 #138

You do bring something extra to it. I'd hate it if it was mostly Hortensis Sep 2022 #150

he reminds me of jeff koons. mopinko Sep 2022 #151

Lol, had to look him up -- Oh, the balloon dogs! Just imagine your Hortensis Sep 2022 #156

Looks weird. Almost like the times we're in. Depressing, shadowed on one side. Slumped posture. tman Sep 2022 #22

Yeah moose65 Sep 2022 #104

Striking. Stunning. tishaLA Sep 2022 #24

not crazy about it. this seems to be this artist's style though if you look at his other portraits. IcyPeas Sep 2022 #26

thx for the link- mopinko Sep 2022 #33

"Presidents and first ladies typically select tishaLA Sep 2022 #45

i guess his humility led him to pick this guy. i think that's a shame. mopinko Sep 2022 #120

While I've enjoyed the theatrics up and down the thread BannonsLiver Sep 2022 #161

i'm not a critic. i'm a painter. a figurative painter. mopinko Sep 2022 #170

You do float a body in space PlutosHeart Sep 2022 #163

it's possible he was chosen because obama wanted to be portrayed this way. mopinko Sep 2022 #171

Thanks for sharing ecstatic Sep 2022 #136

You're right about his style, ALL of the portraits on the linked page are the same. Abolishinist Sep 2022 #137

I like it. Lars39 Sep 2022 #27

My thoughts exactly.. luvs2sing Sep 2022 #35

Black in a sea of white (both literally and figuratively). demmiblue Sep 2022 #28

The Obamas would have approved the portraits yellowdogintexas Sep 2022 #31

it's typical of this artist: IcyPeas Sep 2022 #36

For those who are curious about the JFK portrait... Abolishinist Sep 2022 #172

I like it but... suncat Sep 2022 #32

no. mopinko Sep 2022 #37

It is near photo realism alphafemale Sep 2022 #34

Yes the face is very well done FakeNoose Sep 2022 #60

Even Better Now with PJB in Cha Sep 2022 #38

I like it but... suncat Sep 2022 #40

I like it. Striking and singular. Memorable. I like Michelle's portrait, too. highplainsdem Sep 2022 #41

At first I thought it was a photo The Third Doctor Sep 2022 #42

I like the humanism in it. herding cats Sep 2022 #43

Should have worn the tan suit instead stumpysbear Sep 2022 #44

I wish he had worn a tan suit. LoisB Sep 2022 #46

Stunning! Lunabell Sep 2022 #47

I find them disappointing Random Boomer Sep 2022 #48

My gods, this is a wonderful moment Hekate Sep 2022 #52

2 Cents DET Sep 2022 #54

I'm with you. happy feet Sep 2022 #92

Love them both, especially his obamanut2012 Sep 2022 #59

It's not particularly impressive. tavernier Sep 2022 #61

You do of course understand... jmowreader Sep 2022 #66

Looks like a photo Demovictory9 Sep 2022 #67

Easy elegance, and a humble smile. lindysalsagal Sep 2022 #69

I'm surprised the painter shadowed half of his face as if its an underexposed poorly lit photo SYFROYH Sep 2022 #71

Light & darkness, our times, he brought us so much light & we went into darkness, hope & change Hekate Sep 2022 #77

I want them back in the White House someday! Bluesaph Sep 2022 #73

Such a handsome man!! I miss his voice most of all Peacetrain Sep 2022 #75

Who is the best clown artist? Oldtimeralso Sep 2022 #76

Love Obama Joinfortmill Sep 2022 #81

Spectacular! MontanaMama Sep 2022 #84

I loved Michelle's portrait as well, it is incredibly classy. Bev54 Sep 2022 #85

They both look stern and grim. Demobrat Sep 2022 #86

To me, it captures the intersection of his strength and his dignity. Torchlight Sep 2022 #87

Like the man, he put a lot of white behind him. Harker Sep 2022 #88

Yes. I thought that at first glance and it struck me as brilliant. Scrivener7 Sep 2022 #96

That was my second thought. Harker Sep 2022 #100

I love that he had to be talked out of it. Scrivener7 Sep 2022 #103

That's classic stuff. I needed a laugh. Harker Sep 2022 #113

Love both portraits... Spazito Sep 2022 #90

Kick because I can Never Cha Sep 2022 #91

I love both of them. And their portraits are perfect to me. Scrivener7 Sep 2022 #94

Looks like a photograph. sinkingfeeling Sep 2022 #95

BEAUTIFUL! msfiddlestix Sep 2022 #97

A big enough improvement over the portrait gallery pics Rocknation Sep 2022 #101

Absolutely stunning! gademocrat7 Sep 2022 #105

I'd prefer a less glaring background, but that's my near blindness talking Warpy Sep 2022 #106

Awesome! Looks like a photograph. nt Samrob Sep 2022 #110

He should have worn the tan suit. The Jungle 1 Sep 2022 #111

Very classy. BigmanPigman Sep 2022 #116

I love both portraits. R&K 🥰 MerryBlooms Sep 2022 #117

Pretty damn good. SlimJimmy Sep 2022 #122

He should have worn the tan suit. SergeStorms Sep 2022 #127

yes Celerity Sep 2022 #146

Making a bespoke suit for Trump.... SergeStorms Sep 2022 #166

OMG! Great pic of Obama. He's so friggin' handsome! BComplex Sep 2022 #193

I'm disappointed BO didn't go with a tan suit. Hassler Sep 2022 #128

Literally the Finest president Eva!💜💜💜💜 Heather MC Sep 2022 #131

I guess I would need to see the other portraits first ecstatic Sep 2022 #135

I like that actually. PlutosHeart Sep 2022 #164

tht's what a President and Statesman looks like onethatcares Sep 2022 #143

K&R UTUSN Sep 2022 #153

LOVE THIS! onecaliberal Sep 2022 #158

Pardon my American purr-rat beauty Sep 2022 #162

I don't really like it. betsuni Sep 2022 #175

Amazing painting! Looks like a photograph. Emile Sep 2022 #177

This portrait knocked my socks off! Niagara Sep 2022 #178

never have I had such an emotional reaction to a portrait Deb Sep 2022 #179

If it's going to be photorealistic Danascot Sep 2022 #181

I like his painted portrait a lot but I love Michelle's version. lark Sep 2022 #183

I can appreciate the skill and craft that is used to create this image however Handler Sep 2022 #186

Outstanding. (nt) Paladin Sep 2022 #187

Have to be honest, I don't much care for it. CanonRay Sep 2022 #189

❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️ - Video of the artists - and the curators Lucinda Sep 2022 #190

Best Portraits Ever!! Sane1 Sep 2022 #191

That is amazing wendyb-NC Sep 2022 #194