The New Obama Portraits Definitely Brought Out the Internet's Best Meme Game
Following the highly-anticipated unveiling of the portraits of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery on Monday, the Internet set to work doing what it does best.
The portraits—which were painted by New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley and Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald— were widely praised on Twitter, with celebrities such as director Ava DuVernay, model Chrissy Teigen, and comedian Chris Rock all celebrating the images.
“Monday morning joy as portraits of President and First Lady Obama are revealed by artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley,” tweeted DuVernay. “Reminds me to hope.”
“Just saw the Presidential Portrait. Wow,” Rock added. “Barack Obama is the real Black Panther.”
However, that didn’t stop the online world from also turning the presidential paintings—and in particular Barack’s—into a series of memes. “Nice of him to honor his predecessors, the bushes,” wrote Twitter user Ariel Edwards-Levy, poking fun at the fauna backdrop behind the 44th president.
nice of him to honor his predecessors, the bushes https://t.co/A9XJOrDXCG
— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) February 12, 2018
See a selection of the hilarious reactions below.
sorry pic.twitter.com/ApQYOf5XF7
— Shoshana Weissmann, Sloth Committee Chair (@senatorshoshana) February 12, 2018
wait no sean wat are you doing pic.twitter.com/bLABp3wq4E
— delrayser (@delrayser) February 12, 2018
ok betsy pic.twitter.com/ol5PPxSwBy
— darth:™ (@darth) February 12, 2018
Edgy and graceful at the same time.
Perfect choice by President Obama. pic.twitter.com/IBTKYo4f8x— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) February 12, 2018
Whose idea was it to have Obama surrounded by Bushes for a portrait? pic.twitter.com/6iN2yBVwjZ
— Matt’s Idea Shop (@MattsIdeaShop) February 12, 2018
This portrait immortalizes my two favorite things about President Obama. He placed furniture wherever. And zero allergies. pic.twitter.com/tuN3yJ2V7V
— Anthony Jeselnik (@anthonyjeselnik) February 12, 2018
#KehindeWiley 's #Obama painting when fashion week hits pic.twitter.com/2oSrIwqWTF
— Camilo Caffi (@caffi07) February 12, 2018
Is anyone else getting a Beyoncé vibe off Obama’s portrait? pic.twitter.com/FkcNVIVtte
— Surlymom (@Surly_Mom) February 12, 2018