Where:
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA
Admission:
$FREE-$27
Categories:
Art
Event website:
https://www.mfa.org/exhibition/the-obama-portraits-tour
The acclaimed portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama come to the MFA on the final stop of their national tour.
Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Barack Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama have become iconic since the moment they were unveiled in 2018. A striking departure from earlier presidential portraits and images of first ladies, the two paintings have inspired unprecedented responses from the public.
Wiley and Sherald are the first African Americans commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to create official portraits of a president and first lady. Their distinctive artistic visions are rooted in the tradition of American portraiture but committed to making space for people of color. Through their portraits, which are at once extraordinary and approachable, audiences can see themselves in President Obama and the former First Lady.
The seventh and final stop on a US tour that began in June 2021, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is thrilled to offer audiences in New England and throughout the world a chance to experience in person these works of art exploring power, identity, and legacy throughout history.
“The Obama Portraits Tour” is expected to reach millions of people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to view these remarkable paintings. Previous stops include the Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and de Young Museum, San Francisco.
Portraits of Leadership
At the MFA, “The Obama Portraits Tour” will be complemented by “Portraits of Leadership,” a crowd-sourced collection of portraits from the community featuring leaders of all kinds.
Timed-Entry Tickets Required
Due to limited capacity, timed-entry exhibition tickets (general admission included) are required in advance for all visitors, including MFA members.
Tickets are on sale now. Visit Tickets to reserve yours.
Please note, timed tickets for “The Obama Portraits Tour” are only available pending availability. We strongly recommend reserving tickets in advance as time slots are expected to sell out.
Free Admission to “The Obama Portraits Tour”
The Museum is offering free admission for all, including access to “The Obama Portraits Tour,” on four occasions:
No advance tickets. Admission to “The Obama Portraits Tour” and other timed, ticketed exhibitions available in person on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thursday, Dec 19, 2024 4:00p
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 11:00a
Roadrunner Boston
Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 7:30p
Boston Harbor Distillery
Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 11:00a
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre