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Amy Sherald Most Popular Paintings

The 4 paintings by Amy Sherald our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented plate by plate, with the specification of each hand-painted reproduction.

Hand painted in oil Edition 2026 · 4 plates Each plate painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Amy Sherald · born 1973

Plate 01

First Lady Michelle Obama

2018 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 152 x 183 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Sizes: From 29 × 35 cm, any size up to 250 cm
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$200 Commission this plate

Plate 02

First Lady Michelle Obama

2018 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 152 x 183 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Sizes: From 29 × 35 cm, any size up to 250 cm
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$200 Commission this plate

Plate 03

Light is easy to love.

2017 · Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham · original 137 x 109 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Sizes: From 28 × 36 cm, any size up to 250 cm
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$200 Commission this plate

Plate 04

Try on dreams until I find the one that fits me. They all fit me.

2017 · Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Sizes: From 28 × 36 cm, any size up to 250 cm
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$200 Commission this plate

The artist

Amy Sherald

Early Life and Education

Born: August 30, 1973, Columbus, Georgia
Grew up in a predominantly white area of the South, which influenced her later exploration of race and identity.
Initially encouraged by parents to pursue medicine but discovered her passion for art during a school field trip to the Columbus Museum.
Attended Clark-Atlanta University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1997.
Studied with artist-historian Dr. Arturo Lindsay at Spelman College and participated in an International Artist-in-Residence program in Portobelo, Panama.
Earned an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Artistic Style and Influences

Known for her distinctive style of stylized realism, depicting African Americans in everyday settings.
Utilizes a grayscale palette for skin tones since 2012, challenging conventional notions of race and color. This technique draws attention to the subject's presence and personality rather than focusing on skin tone.
Her portraits often feature subjects against monochrome backgrounds, creating a dreamlike quality.
Influenced by the American Realist tradition, particularly artists like Edward Hopper.
Draws inspiration from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and underrecognized figures in African American art history such as William H. Johnson, Archibald Motley, and Laura Wheeler Waring.

Major Works and Achievements

First Lady Michelle Obama Portrait: Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, this iconic portrait significantly increased attendance at the gallery and is considered a landmark achievement.
Breonna Taylor Portrait: A powerful tribute to Breonna Taylor, highlighting social justice issues.
"Welfare Queen": Sold for $3.9 million, bringing attention to artist resale royalties.
Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Winner (2016): Awarded for her painting "Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)."
Selected by Barack and Michelle Obama to paint their official portraits – a historic first for an African American artist.

Development and Themes

Early work focused on autobiographical themes.
Shifted focus to exploring African American cultural history and the representation of the Black body.
Her art consistently addresses issues of race, identity, and equality.
Often portrays her subjects with a sense of dignity, strength, and self-assuredness.
Employs vibrant colors in clothing and accessories to express individuality and personality.

Historical Significance

Broke barriers as the first woman and African American to win the National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.
Became the first African American artist commissioned to paint official presidential portraits.
Her work has contributed significantly to diversifying representation in art museums and challenging traditional notions of portraiture.
Elevates everyday Black Americans, celebrating their lives and experiences within a broader historical context.

Questions & Answers

Where can I see Amy Sherald's artworks arranged by atmosphere?

The Mood Room of Amy Sherald is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.

Where are Amy Sherald's artworks organized by color?

The Spectral Index of Amy Sherald is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

Where are Amy Sherald's artworks grouped by technique?

To find all works by Amy Sherald in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Quick facts

Typical colorsneutrals
Art periodContemporary
Room fitliving room
Born1973, Columbus, United States of America
Emotional tonereflective
Color intensitybalanced
Also known asSherald

Collector's quiz

In what city and state was Amy Sherald born?
What is a distinctive characteristic of Amy Sherald's portrait style?
Which significant achievement did Amy Sherald attain in 2016?
Who commissioned Amy Sherald to paint their official portraits?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Amy Sherald

Every painting by Amy Sherald in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Amy Sherald