The high volume of Smithsonian visitors to Michelle Obama’s portrait, painted by Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald and newly added to the National Portrait Gallery, has prompted the museum to move the painting to a new area. The unveiling of the Obama portraits in February prompted a sharp increase in visitor traffic to the museum, which has since seen up to 45,000 guests in one four-day weekend period. An image of a young girl staring at the portrait in awe went viral on social media networks, drawing yet more attention to the exhibit. Mrs. Obama’s portrait has been moved to a more spacious area of the museum in the third floor 20th Century Americans gallery to accommodate the unexpectedly large crowds.
Smithsonian Moves Michelle Obama Portrait
Mrs. Obama's portrait has been moved to a more spacious area of the museum in the third floor 20th Century Americans gallery to accommodate the unexpectedly large crowds.