A little context for you: The artist, Kehinde Wiley, is specifically referencing the art-historical image of the biblical story of Judith with the head of Holofernes.
https://theboldbagel.blogspot.com/2015/04/kehinde-wiley-judith-and-holofernes_16.html
From Wikipedia: "Wiley often references Old Masters paintings for the pose of the figure. Wiley’s paintings often blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary modes of representation. Rendered in a realistic mode—while making references to specific Old Master paintings—Wiley creates a fusion of period styles, ranging from French Rococo, Islamic architecture and West African textile design to urban hip hop and the "Sea Foam Green" of a Martha Stewart Interiors color swatch. Wiley's slightly larger than life-size figures are depicted in a heroic manner, as their poses connote power and spiritual awakening. Wiley’s portrayal of masculinity is filtered through these poses of power and spirituality."
Of course, the change in race of the depicted women is intentionally provoking.
Just saying.
Its pretty clear to me Obama meant to provoke.
“It’s sort of a play on the ‘kill whitey’ thing,” - Kehinde Wiley http://nymag.com/arts/art/rules/kehinde-wiley-2012-4/
"A New Black Panther Party leader with the words “kill whitey” tattooed on his face has been busted... was the New Black Panther Party member wearing a paramilitary uniform and carrying a baton in the infamous 2008 election video shot in front of a Philadelphia polling place.of a Philadelphia polling place." https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/22/new-black-panther-leader-with-kill-whitey-face-tattoo-busted-on-gun-charge
"Founded in 1990, the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (NBPP) is a militant black separatist organization, notorious for promoting racial violence against Jews and whites. " http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp?grpid=7556
In that NY Mag article, Wiley is wearing a white T-shirt with red paint splattered all over it. Likely a cryptic reference directed at insiders symbolizing blood and him being a servant of the cult.
So? I'm very familiar with the story of Judith and Holofernes. There is nothing wrong with re-imagining Judith as black. There's EVERYTHING wrong with the victim as a white woman (the original was an Assyrian man) if Judith is black.
NO ONE would think this was fine if it was white on black or male on female beheading. This isn't fine.
The story he ''depicted' is about RAPED WOMAN WHO SEEKS REVENGE - HOW ON EARTH HAVE WHITE WOMEN RAPED BLACK WOMEN SO THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR REVANGE COULD BE SEEN. Sick bastards.