Michelle Obama Welcomes New Artwork to the White House
This photograph of First Lady Michelle Obama was taken on June 5, 2013. Mrs. Obama joined guests gathered in the East Room of the White House to celebrate three recent acquisitions to the White House Collection. In collaboration with the White House Historical Association and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, President and Mrs. Obama selected new paintings for the Collection that are representative of 20th century art: "Study for Homage to the Square: Asking" and "Homage to the Square", both by Josef Albers, and "Early Bloomer [Anagram (a Pun)]" by Robert Rauschenberg. The Obamas placed all three pieces, along with "Resurrection" by Alma Thomas and a wool rug by textile artist Anni Albers, in the Old Family Dining Room in the Executive Mansion. The chairman of the board of directors for the White House Historical Association, Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., is seen at right. Director of the National Parks Service Jonathan Jarvis also joined Mrs. Obama and Mr. Ryan on stage.