While people will remember US President Barack Obama for his funny memes on the internet or his Spotify playlist or the local policies he approved, interior design enthusiasts will remember him for his 'aesthetic legacy' to the White House.
According to The New York Times, Obama has been updating some of the artworks in the White House from the 21st century pieces to modern and comtemporary pieces by artists like Mark Rothko and Robert Rauschenberg.
However, despite some changes in the aesthetic side of the premier institution in the United States, art historian a former member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, Bill Kloss, told The New York Times that the President is still "trying to keep a sense of formality [in the White House]."
At the end of the day, the President has the final say on what will and what will not be displayed in the residence and offices. Moreover, he has the 'utmost authority' as written by Curbed on picking and choosing from the White House's permanent art collection, which includes about 500 paintings.
It can be noted that First Lady Michelle Obama, along with her husband, has a very big impact on the art collection. She added bold and colorful artworks by Josef Albers, Anni Albers, and others to the Old Family Dining Room earlier this year.
Some of the artworks are on loan from sources such as the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
On a lighter note, these newest art additions aren't the first modern masterpieces to ever grace the White House's halls. During the early 90s, Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State and Democratic presidential frontrunner hung the painting, "Bear Lake, New Mexico" by Georgia O'Keeffe in the Green Room during her time as first lady.
Do you think the bold and colorful artworks fit in the prestigious White House?
