Oprah Winfrey was elated after her portrait was unveiled at the American National Portrait Gallery.
In the portrait, the television star is depicted smiling adorning a flowing purple dress with an olive branch in her hand at one of her gardens outside her California home.
“Of all the dreams I’ve had, I did not know there was a national gallery to dream and aspire for,” she wrote in her Instagram.
While sharing context for the portrait, Oprah Winfrey told the crowd that the color purple gave her important ideas that helped shape her life.
“I chose to wear the purple color because for me, that color has been seminal in my life,” she explained.
Nonetheless, her role in the 1985 film “The Color Purple” helped make her a movie star. In addition, she is a producer on the upcoming film version of “The Color Purple” musical.
Notably the portrait was designed by Shawn Micheal Warren a Chicago based artist.
“From Mississippi to the National Portrait Gallery in the nation’s capital, wow thank you Warren for the heart and thank you for capturing may essence,” she added.
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“I can’t wait for y’all to visit the portrait and meet her,” she stated.
Why Oprah?
Notably, she earned her a place in the National Portrait Gallery for making significant contributions to American popular culture.
Nonetheless, she is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer, actor, author and entrepreneur.
“Through her rise to fame as host and producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah demonstrated an unparalleled ability to connect with people and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves,” National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet said.
“Her vision and spirit deserve recognition in the nation’s Portrait Gallery, and we are delighted to celebrate her with this commissioned portrait by Shawn Michael Warren, who has reflected her warmth and compassion in this painting,” Sajet added.
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Notable Figures Whose Portrait Hung at the Gallery
Winfrey joins the likes of President John F Kennedy, Barrack Obama and other leaders who have their portraits hanging at Washington DC’s Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Others include Abraham Lincoln the 16th president of America and anti-slavery campaigner Harriet Tubman.
Furthermore, a Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II also hund in the walls of the National Gallery.
“Featuring scientists, statesmen, and film stars, glimpsed through rare nineteenth-century daguerreotypes or year-old digital video, the National Portrait Gallery collections bring you face to face with America,” the National Gallery stated.
