Sherald’s Historic Solo Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery
Painter Amy Sherald, best known for her striking portrait of Michelle Obama, is set to make history again. She will be the first contemporary Black artist to have a solo exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Titled “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” this major show will feature over 50 of her paintings, offering a glimpse into her artistic journey from 2007 to the present.
The exhibition opens on September 19, 2025, and will showcase familiar works alongside never-before-seen pieces. Rhea L. Combs, the director of curatorial affairs for the National Portrait Gallery, calls this show an “incredible ‘welcome home'” for Sherald. Sherald’s connection to the DC area, especially through her acclaimed work, is a testament to her lasting impact on American art.
Artistic Journey Leading to Sherald’s Solo Exhibition
Sherald’s journey to international recognition began in the DC area. Although she hails from Georgia, her artistic roots run deep in Baltimore, where she earned both an MFA in painting and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2014, she submitted her work “Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)” to the National Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This entry was a turning point in her career.
She became the first woman and first African American to win the competition, which came with a $25,000 prize and a commission for a new portrait. This led to her creation of the now-iconic 2018 painting of Michelle Obama. The Obama portrait drew record crowds, so much so that it had to be moved to a larger space to accommodate the visitors.
Sherald’s Iconic Works on Display
“Amy Sherald: American Sublime” will feature some of her most influential works, including the Obama portrait and “Miss Everything.” It will also include her 2020 portrait of Breonna Taylor, which graced the cover of Vanity Fair and was part of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s exhibit “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.” Sherald’s paintings focus on the everyday lives of Black Americans, highlighting their experiences with grace and dignity.
The exhibition will delve into the relationship between her portraits and their referential materials. One such piece is her 2022 painting “For love, and for country,” which reimagines Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famous photograph “V-J Day in Times Square.” In Sherald’s version, two uniformed Black men replace the white couple from the original photo, offering a new perspective on historical imagery.
Amy Sherald’s Unique Artistic Vision
Sherald’s use of grisaille—a grayscale color palette for depicting her subjects’ skin tones—is a signature aspect of her work. This technique emphasizes that race is a social construct, inviting viewers to see her subjects beyond skin color. She often finds her subjects on the street, centering the everyday lives and experiences of Black Americans in her portraits.
Her upcoming exhibition will not only present her previously displayed works but will also feature new and rarely seen pieces. The show aims to explore Sherald’s artistic process, providing deeper insight into how she constructs her thought-provoking portraits.
A Full-Circle Moment for Sherald
Rhea L. Combs describes the exhibition as a “full-circle moment” for Sherald, reflecting her growth and achievements as an artist with roots in the DC area. It’s a testament to the power of opportunities, like the Portrait Competition, which has the potential to launch careers and elevate voices. As Combs puts it, Sherald’s rise to prominence is “the chef’s kiss” of what a curator hopes to achieve—bringing an artist’s journey to light for the world to see.
Sherald’s exhibition will run at the National Portrait Gallery until February 22, 2026. It promises to be a milestone event, spotlighting not just her artistic talent but also her commitment to telling the nuanced stories of Black Americans.
