Amy Sherald’s Portraits

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Ken Dowell

Amy Sherald is perhaps best known for the above portrait of Michelle Obama. It is the official portrait of the First Lady. Sherald paints images of everyday Black Americans. Her works are currently on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The exhibit is titled “American Sublime.”

Hangman
All Things Right and Beautiful
They Call Me Redbone, But I’d Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake
Freeing herself was one thing, taking ownership of that freed self was another
She had an inside and an outside now, and suddenly she knew how not to mix them
Saint Woman
The Bathers
A Bucket Full of Treasures (Papa Gave Me Sunshine to Put in My Pocket)
What’s precious inside him does not care to be known by the mind in ways that diminish its presence.
A Golden Afternoon
The Rabbit in the Hat
The Boy with No Past
Try on dreams until I find one that fits me. They all fit me.
A God Blessed Land (Empire of Dirt)
Planes, Rockets and the Spaces in Between
As American as Apple Pie
American Grit
Trans Forming Liberty
For Love, and for Country
Breonna Taylor. Sherald was commissioned by Vanity Fair magazine to create this portrait.

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6 Responses to Amy Sherald’s Portraits

  1. Gary Trujillo's avatar Gary Trujillo says:
    May 25, 2025 at 8:12 am

    Cool style. Flat but dense if that makes any sense.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. retrosimba's avatar retrosimba says:
    May 25, 2025 at 9:05 am

    I appreciate the messages as well as the art.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Monkey's Tale's avatar Monkey's Tale says:
    May 25, 2025 at 9:41 am

    I haven’t seen any other works other than the Michelle Obama portrait so thanks for posting these. I found the titles added a lot to the paintings too. Maggie

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  4. Sam Gridley's avatar Sam Gridley says:
    May 25, 2025 at 12:20 pm

    I’ve seen the term “simplified realism” applied to Sherald’s style. I’m not sure that does it justice, but whatever it’s called, she maximizes the impact.

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    Reply
  5. Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger says:
    May 25, 2025 at 3:10 pm

    She’s very talented.

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    Reply
  6. Donna Janke's avatar Donna Janke says:
    May 25, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    These are great portraits. I’ve never been to the Whitney Museum of American Art (actually never been to New York) and I enjoy the posts you do about their interesting exhibits.

    Liked by 1 person

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