We’re never supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I just bought a book for its jacket. I’m a lifelong bibliophile who should know better, but it might be the most beautiful jacket I’ve ever seen.
Powell talked about the European tradition of “Grand Manner” portraiture—big, theatrical representations of important people, like generals, often in dramatic landscapes, frequently on horseback. American presidential portraits for the most part followed this tradition, Powell said, but Sherald and Wiley “raised the ante on it.” They incorporated “something about what it means to be a remarkable African American woman and man in the 21st century.”
So, back to the jacket, which was designed by Miko McGinty. It’s a densely saturated reproduction of the Obama portraits, exquisitely printed (in Italy) on both sides, blurbs and all, and totally reversible. On the book I took home, the president’s up front, along with the title. He’s perched on the now-familiar antique chair, backed by the iconic wall of profuse greenery (who knew those chrysanthemums peeking through are the official Chicago flower?), and looking directly at me—while Michelle regally occupies her own airy blue space on the back. If I ever want to promote her to the cover (or if, heaven forbid, the jacket ever gets soiled) all I have to do is flip it over and, presto, good as new.
