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In 2008, Barack Obama made history as the first African American to be elected president, capping a meteoric rise in politics and concluding a campaign that encouraged progress and optimism. Even though he entered the White House as the United States was undergoing its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Obama expeditiously enacted the Affordable Care Act, which extended health benefits to millions of previously uninsured Americans. During his tenure, the mission to kill al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was successful, but the president’s pledge to close the Guantanamo prison went unrealized. When Obama left office, the feelings of solidarity that had been fostered in his campaign languished.
Chuck Close took two large-format Polaroid photographs of President Obama in 2012 (one smiling, one serious) and used them to create double portraits in a variety of media. In January 2013, Ian and Annette Cumming loaned this set of tapestries to the National Portrait Gallery, where they were placed on view for President Obama’s second inauguration.
En 2008 Barack Obama hizo historia al convertirse en el primer afroamericano elegido presidente, culminando un meteórico ascenso político y una campaña que promovía el progreso y el optimismo. Aunque, cuando llegó a la Casa Blanca, Estados Unidos sufría su peor crisis económica desde la Gran Depresión, Obama promulgó con diligencia la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible, que extendió beneficios de salud a millones de ciudadanos antes carentes de seguro médico. Durante su gobierno, se cumplió la misión de eliminar a Osama bin Laden, fundador de al-Qaeda, pero la promesa presidencial de cerrar la prisión de Guantánamo quedó incumplida. Al final de su mandato, los sentimientos de solidaridad fomentados en su campaña languidecieron.
Chuck Close tomó dos fotos Polaroid de gran formato al presidente Obama en 2012 (una sonriente y otra serio) y las utilizó para hacer retratos dobles en diversas técnicas. En enero de 2013, Ian y Annette Cumming prestaron este dúo de tapices a la National Portrait Gallery, donde se exhibieron para la segunda toma de posesión del presidente Obama.