• Michelle Obama
    Sharon Sprung
    official portrait
    This official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama was painted by Sharon Sprung in 2018. A Chicago native, Obama earned degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Her husband, Barack Obama, served as president from January 20, 2009 until January 20, 2017. As first lady, Michelle Obama pursued initiatives focused on childhood obesity and healthy eating, support for service members and their families, and opportunity in education. Both portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on September 7, 2022.
  • Monchousia (White Plume), Kansa
    Charles Bird King
    American Indians
    portraits
    likeness
    delegation
    From November 1821 through February 1822, 17 American Indians from different tribes visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and Indian agent for the Upper Missouri, Benjamin O'Fallon. O'Fallon wanted the Indians to meet President Monroe and to witness the great strength of the nation first hand. Charles Bird King painted portraits of the visitors, including this portrait of the Chief of the Kansa (or Kaw) tribe, Monchousia. Around Monchousia's neck is the silver peace medal with President Monroe's profile on it that was given to all of the male delegates and are visible in their portraits. King would go on to paint 200 American Indian portraits, of which 143 were commissioned by the U.S. Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  • Petalesharro (Generous Chief), Pawnee
    Charles Bird King
    American Indians
    portraits
    delegation
    likeness
    From November 1821 through February 1822, 17 American Indians from different tribes visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and Indian agent for the Upper Missouri, Benjamin O'Fallon. O'Fallon wanted the Indians to meet President Monroe and to witness the great strength of the nation first hand. Charles Bird King painted portraits of the visitors, including this portrait of Petalesharro (or Petalesharo). Around Petalesharro's neck is the silver peace medal with President Monroe's profile on it that was given to all of the male delegates and are visible in their portraits. King would go on to paint 200 American Indian portraits, of which 143 were commissioned by the U.S. Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Five of these portraits are in the White House Collection.
  • Hayne Hudjihini (Eagle of Delight), Oto
    Charles Bird King
    American Indians
    portraits
    likeness
    delegation
    From November 1821 through February 1822, 17 American Indians from different tribes visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and Indian agent for the Upper Missouri, Benjamin O'Fallon. O'Fallon wanted the Indians to meet President Monroe and to witness the great strength of the nation first hand. Charles Bird King painted portraits of the visitors, including this portrait of Hayne Hudjihini (also known as Eagle of Delight) of the Otoe (or Oto) Tribe. Unlike the male delegates who made the trip, she did not receive a peace medal with President Monroe's profile. King would go on to paint 200 American Indian portraits, of which 143 were commissioned by the U.S. Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Five of these portraits are in the White House Collection.
  • Shaumonekusse (Prairie Wolf), Oto
    Charles Bird King
    American Indians
    portraits
    likeness
    delegation
    From November 1821 through February 1822, 17 American Indians from different tribes visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and Indian agent for the Upper Missouri, Benjamin O'Fallon. O'Fallon wanted the Indians to meet President Monroe and to witness the great strength of the nation first hand. Charles Bird King painted portraits of the visitors, including this portrait of Shaumonekusse (Prairie Wolf) of the Otoe (or Oto) tribe. Around Shaumonekusse's neck is the silver peace medal with President Monroe's profile on it that was given to all of the male delegates and are visible in their portraits. King would go on to paint 200 Indian portraits, of which 143 were commissioned by the U.S. Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Five of these portraits are in the White House Collection.
  • Sharitahrish (Wicked Chief), Pawnee
    Charles Bird King
    portraits
    likeness
    delegation
    American Indians
    From November 1821 through February 1822, 17 American Indians from different tribes visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of President James Monroe, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and Indian agent for the Upper Missouri Benjamin O'Fallon. O'Fallon wanted the Indians to meet President Monroe and to witness the great strength of the nation first hand. Charles Bird King painted portraits of the visitors, including this portrait of Sharitahrish. Around Sharitahrish's neck is the silver peace medal with President Monroe's profile on it that was given to all of the male delegates and are visible in their portraits. King would go on to paint 200 American Indian portraits, of which 143 were commissioned by the U.S. Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Five of these portraits are in the White House Collection.