Renowned American portraitist Amy Sherald, known for her official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has officially canceled the Washington, D.C., installation of her solo exhibition American Sublime at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The decision follows internal discussions at the museum concerning the potential removal of her painting Trans Forming Liberty, which depicts a Black transgender figure posed as the Statue of Liberty

First showcased at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in November 2024 and later exhibited at the Whitney Museum where it remains through August 10. The show was set to premiere at the National Portrait Gallery this September. Sherald is poised to be the first contemporary Black artist featured in a solo exhibition at the institution.

Sherald withdrew the show after learning that Smithsonian leadership was considering removing the painting or requiring it to be accompanied by a contextual video, due to fears it might draw political backlash.In a letter addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, she emphasized that such conditions compromised the artistic integrity of the work. “I entered into this collaboration in good faith,” Sherald wrote. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived”

A spokesperson for the Portrait Gallery confirmed the cancellation and said the museum was disappointed, maintaining that “no agreement could be reached” on how to proceed with the painting. The museum insists it did not request outright removal of the work, but was attempting to find a “collaborative solution”

The controversy comes amid rising political tension over museum programming. In recent months, the Smithsonian has faced scrutiny from conservative policymakers pushing for the exclusion of what they call “divisive ideological content.” The Portrait Gallery’s director, Kim Sajet, also resigned earlier this year following political pressure, further signaling the institution’s unstable footing in an increasingly polarized environment

Sherald's American Sublime features more than 50 works created between 2007 and 2024, including portraits of Breonna Taylor, Michelle Obama, and fictional subjects that reflect themes of Black identity, grace, and visibility. While the exhibition will complete its run at the Whitney Museum, it remains unclear if or where it will be shown next.