It was Michelle Obama who finally at least hinted at what was already hovering over the White House event.

By then, the portraits of the former First Lady and 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, had already been unveiled in the East Room.

"Traditions like this are important," said Michelle Obama.

Not only for those in politics, but also for all those who are part of democracy.

They made their voice heard through elections.

"We are holding an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transfer of power," she continued.

Those who were elected worked as hard as they could and as long as they could.

"As long as people want to keep us here."

Sofia Dreisbach

North American political correspondent based in Washington.

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For the former first lady, it was Wednesday's first visit to the White House since moving out in January 2017. During his tenure, Donald Trump broke with the tradition of inviting his predecessor and his wife to the ceremony for the unveiling of the portraits as incumbent president .

It was ten years ago that Barack Obama received George W. Bush and his wife Laura in the White House for this purpose, regardless of all political differences.

Biden expresses solidarity

"It's great to be back," Obama said Wednesday as he stepped up to the lectern to loud applause, a tone lighter than his wife's.

When you're looking for a friend in Washington, he joked, people tell you to get a dog.

"We have two great dogs." But in Joe Biden he found someone who had become a "real partner and friend".

Obama and Biden combine eight years as President and Vice President.

The incumbent President had previously rolled out the red carpet for his predecessor: He knows few people with more integrity, decency and civil courage than Obama.

Nothing could have better prepared him to be president - "and I say that from the bottom of my heart".

Over the years we have grown together as a family, with all the ups and downs, "of different origins, but with the same values".

He and the entire staff trusted Obama, believed in him, counted on him "and I still do to this day," Biden said.

The eagerly awaited portrait of Barack Obama is kept relatively simple, in the classic style of the American artist Robert McCurdy, who was born in 1952.

He is known for his photorealistic oil paintings of contemporary figures such as Nelson Mandela, Neil Armstrong and the Dalai Lama.

Obama stands in the center of the picture in a black suit with a gray tie against a white background.

The portrait of Michelle Obama was created by Brooklyn artist Sharon Sprung, who was born in 1953.

It shows the former First Lady in a light blue dress sitting on a red sofa.

After the reveal, Barack Obama said, "Jump hit everything he loves about his wife, her grace, her intelligence."

He thanked McCrudy for taking on "a much bigger challenge" with him.

The White House Historical Society has organized the paintings since 1965.

Usually, the presidents and their wives choose an artist before the transfer of office and approve the pictures before publication.

Biden's spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre also referred to the question from a journalist the day before the unveiling.

Would Biden also hold such a ceremony for Trump, should his portrait be completed before the end of his term in office?

According to Jean-Pierre, this decision rests with the Historical Society.