BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Obamas' art choices

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

11:21 GMT, Thursday, 8 October 2009 12:21 UK

In pictures: Obamas' art choices

Winslow Homer's oil-on-canvas painting entitled Sunset, painted in 1875

1 of 8
Winslow Homer's oil-on-canvas "Sunset", painted in 1875, is one of many pieces chosen by President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, to hang in the private rooms and offices at the White House.

Indian Attacking Buffalo, 1861/1869, by George Caitlin

Indian Attacking Buffalo, 1861/1869, by George Caitlin

2 of 8
The Obamas' choices, described by one dealer as "highly sophisticated", include George Catlin's "Indian Attacking Buffalo", painted between 1861/1869.

Richard Diebenkorn's 1955 painting Berkeley No 52

Richard Diebenkorn's 1955 painting Berkeley No 52

3 of 8
The First Couple worked with California decorator Michael Smith and White House curator William Allman to select the works, like "Berkeley No 52", painted by Richard Diebenkorn in 1955.

4 of 8
Another of their choices was Leon Polk Smith's 1961 oil-on-canvas painting "Stretch of Black III".

Edward Corbett's 1963 oil-on-canvas 'November 1963 III'

5 of 8
Edward Corbett's 1963 oil-on-canvas painting "November 1963 III" was among their selection.

Children Dance by William H Johnson

6 of 8
The Obamas have chosen a number of works by African-American artists, such as "Children Dance" by William H Johnson, on loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Booker T Washington Legend, 1944-1945, oil-on-plywood painting by William H Johnson

Booker T Washington Legend, 1944-1945, oil-on-plywood painting by William H Johnson

7 of 8
Johnson's painting of Booker T Washington, the author, orator and freed slave who championed the rights of African-Americans in the 1890s is one of four works by the painter on loan.

Ed Ruscha's 1983 oil-on-canvas painting I think I'll...

Ed Ruscha's 1983 oil-on-canvas painting I think I'll...

8 of 8
The president and his wife began selecting pieces before January's inauguration. This painting is Ed Ruscha's "I think I'll...".

E-mail this to a friend