When Sharon Sprung was chosen to paint Michelle Obama’s official portrait for the White House, she knew she’d have to keep it a secret —she just didn’t know for how long. Unlike Amy Sherald’s portrait of the former first lady, commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and unveiled there in2018, alongside Kehinde Wiley’s depiction of President Obama, Ms. Sprung’s was commissioned by the White House Historical Association to hang in the White House.
Painting Michelle Obama Took 9 Months. Keeping It Secret Took 6 Years.
Will Heinrich, New York Times
