Former President Barack Obama Commissions Artist Kehinde Wiley For Official Presidential Portrait

After eight years as President, it's time to seal former commander-in-chief Barack Obama into the halls of history with an official presidential portrait. According to the Smithsonian, Obama has selected world-renowned Brooklyn-based artist Kehinde Wiley to paint his historical rendering.

Wiley is the first black artist to ever be commissioned to paint a presidential portrait for the Smithsonian and is known for his portraits of young black men in street gear, often in majestic scenery and with a classical style based on Renaissance and Baroque art.

Previous portraits b Wiley include Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Ice T, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Michael Jackson, and others.

Michelle Obama has also commissioned a black artist, Amy Sherald, for her official portrait.

Both paintings will be unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in early 2018.

Learn more about Kehinde Wiley HERE.