Amy Sherald: American Sublime
Amy Sherald’s new exhibition, American Sublime, opens at the Whitney Museum of American Art in April 2025.

Member Previews: Apr 3–7, 2025
Apr 9–Aug 10, 2025
Key Takeaways:
- Amy Sherald’s new exhibition, American Sublime, opens at the Whitney Museum of American Art in April 2025.
- It includes her most recognized works—such as the Michelle Obama portrait—alongside lesser-known and newly commissioned pieces.
- The exhibit explores Black American identity, everyday heroism, and the tradition of portraiture reimagined through a contemporary lens.
- Runs through August 2025 at the Whitney in New York City.
🖼️ About American Sublime
Amy Sherald’s American Sublime at the Whitney Museum is a comprehensive look at the artist’s groundbreaking career as one of the most influential portrait painters working today. Known for her stylized realism, gray skin tones, and use of vibrant, color-blocked backgrounds, Sherald redefines how Black subjects are seen in American art history.
The exhibition traces Sherald’s work from her early paintings to her most recent creations, offering a cohesive look at how she centers dignity, individuality, and quiet strength in her subjects.




🎨 What’s on Display?
The exhibition includes:
- Her iconic portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama (on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery)
- A new body of work reflecting on Black joy, leisure, and everyday moments
- Earlier student work and rarely seen pieces from her Baltimore studio years
- Video interviews and behind-the-scenes process footage
Each portrait invites viewers to engage deeply—not just with the image, but with the subject’s presence, clothing, and gaze.
🎟️ Exhibit Info
- Exhibition Title: Amy Sherald: American Sublime
- Location: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City
- Dates: April 5 – August 31, 2025
- Tickets: Included with general admission | More info at whitney.org
