{{peacock|date=September 2018}}
{{peacock|date=September 2018}}
[[File:MikeFBPhoto.jpg|thumbnail|right|Artist Michael D’Antuono]]
[[File:MikeFBPhoto.jpg|thumbnail|right|Artist Michael D’Antuono]]
”’Michael D’Antuono”’ is an [[United States|American]] [[Contemporary art|contemporary artist]] whose painting style focuses primarily on socio-political issues. He is known for his portrait of the [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]] in front of the Presidential Seal entitled “The Truth”.
”’Michael D’Antuono”’ is an American [[Contemporary art|contemporary artist]] whose painting style focuses primarily on issues. He is known for his portrait of the U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] in front of the Presidential Seal entitled The .
==Career==
==Career==
D’Antuono worked as an art director for the [[New York City]] advertising agency [[D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles|DMB&B]], where he created television campaigns<!– Multiple sources mention some of his work has earned awards, but there is no single reference on which awards these were. –>. He also works as a freelance illustrator.<ref>McCuaig, Amanda (2012-02-21) “Michael D’Antuono challenges US government’s monetary redistribution” ArtThreat.com [http://artthreat.net/2012/ 02/michaeldantuon/] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130410203726/http://artthreat.net/2012/ |date=2013-04-10 }}</ref>
D’Antuono worked as an art director for the New York City advertising agency [[D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles]], where he created television campaigns. He also works as a freelance illustrator.<ref>McCuaig, Amanda (2012-02-21) “Michael D’Antuono challenges US government’s monetary redistribution” ArtThreat.com [http://artthreat.net/2012/ 02/michaeldantuon/] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130410203726/http://artthreat.net/2012/ |date=2013-04-10 }}</ref>
==”The Truth” (2009)==
==”The Truth” (2009)==
D’Antuono’s painting of [[Barack Obama|United States President Barack Obama]] titled ”The Truth”, which depicts Obama standing in front of the U.S. Presidential seal holding curtains on each side and wearing a crown of thorns, created a great deal of political controversy. D’Antuono planned to unveil the painting at New York City’s Union Square on April 29, 2009, to mark the 100th day of Obama’s presidency. The artist canceled the public unveiling due to an outpour of protests by the [[Christian right|religious right]], including thousands of e-mails, phone calls, and blog posts demanding the planned exhibit be shut down.<ref>Maron, Mark (2009-04-27) Break Room Live With Maron & Seder – Michael D’Antuono Interview. [http://blip.tv/break-room-live-with-maron-seder/michael-d- antuono-interview-breakroomlive-com-2063474]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>Hemingway, Mark (2009-04-27) You Can’t Handel The Truth NationalReviewOnline.com [http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/180989/you- cant-handle-truth/mark-hemingway]</ref>
D’Antuono’s painting of [[Barack Obama|United States President Barack Obama]] titled ”The Truth”, which depicts Obama standing in front of the U.S. Presidential seal holding curtains on each side and wearing a crown of thorns, created a great deal of political controversy. D’Antuono planned to unveil the painting at New York City’s Union Square on April 29, 2009, to mark the 100th day of Obama’s presidency artist canceled the public unveiling due to an outpour of protests by the [[Christian right|religious right]], including thousands of e-mails, phone calls, and blog posts demanding the planned exhibit be shut down.<ref>Maron, Mark (2009-04-27) Break Room Live With Maron & Seder – Michael D’Antuono Interview. [http://blip.tv/break-room-live-with-maron-seder/michael-d- antuono-interview-breakroomlive-com-2063474]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>Hemingway, Mark (2009-04-27) You Can’t Handel The Truth NationalReviewOnline.com [http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/180989/you- cant-handle-truth/mark-hemingway]</ref>
==”The Truth” (2012)==
==”The Truth” (2012)==
Four years after his initial attempt, D’Antuono was invited to publicly display ”The Truth” along with several other of his paintings at Boston’s Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery as part of their “Artists on the Stump—the Road to the White House 2012” exhibition. This created another controversy.<ref>Hall, Jonathan (2012-11-28) Artist under scrutiny for Obama painting NBC News [https://web.archive.org/web/20121201183853/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49996978#49996978]</ref><ref>FOX News (2012-11-26) Bunker Hill Community College artist depicts Obama with crown of thorns MyFoxBoston.com [http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/20189860/2012/11/26/painting-depicts-obama-as-crucified- christ#ixzz2EsUoEnpS]</ref><ref>Bennett-Smith, Meredith (2012-11-27) Barack Obama Depicted As Jesus: ‘The Truth’ Painting Draws Criticism For Controversial Metaphor HuffingtonPost.com [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/barack-obama-jesus-cross-painting- the-truth-controversial_n_2199073.html]</ref><ref>McLeod, Judi (2012-11-28) President-for-Life, King of the World paving the way for Messiahship CanadaFreePress.com [http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51341]</ref> [[Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights]] president Bill Donahue and former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain were among those who denounced the painting.<ref>Roberts, Bill (2012-11-28) Artist Depicts Obama as Christ Crucified CharismaNews.com [http://www.charismanews.com/us/34736-artist-depicts- obama-as-christ-crucified]</ref>
Four years after his initial attempt, D’Antuono was invited to publicly display ”The Truth” along with several other of his paintings at Boston’s Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery as part of their “Artists on the Stump—the Road to the White House 2012” exhibition. This created another controversy.<ref>Hall, Jonathan (2012-11-28) Artist under scrutiny for Obama painting NBC News [https://web.archive.org/web/20121201183853/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49996978#49996978]</ref><ref>FOX News (2012-11-26) Bunker Hill Community College artist depicts Obama with crown of thorns MyFoxBoston.com [http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/20189860/2012/11/26/painting-depicts-obama-as-crucified- christ#ixzz2EsUoEnpS]</ref><ref>Bennett-Smith, Meredith (2012-11-27) Barack Obama Depicted As Jesus: ‘The Truth’ Painting Draws Criticism For Controversial Metaphor HuffingtonPost.com [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/barack-obama-jesus-cross-painting- the-truth-controversial_n_2199073.html]</ref><ref>McLeod, Judi (2012-11-28) President-for-Life, King of the World paving the way for Messiahship CanadaFreePress.com [http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51341]</ref> [[Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights]] president Bill Donahue and former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain were among those who denounced the painting.<ref>Roberts, Bill (2012-11-28) Artist Depicts Obama as Christ Crucified CharismaNews.com [http://www.charismanews.com/us/34736-artist-depicts- obama-as-christ-crucified]</ref>
==Other paintings==
==Other paintings==
His piece inspired by the [[Trayvon Martin]] tragedy, ”A Tale Of Two Hoodies”, generated discourse concerning the racism faced by African American youth. The painting was listed for sale on [[EBay]] but the website later removed because it violated their terms and conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dial |first=Yvette |date=2017-12-18 |title=A Tale of Two Hoodies, |url=https://artcrimearchive.net/2017/12/18/a-tale-of-two-hoodies/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> The piece was later sold on [[ArtFido]].<ref>Linehan, Dan (2012-04-23) The Racist Art of Michael D’Antuono Wagist.com [http://www.wagist.com/2012/dan-linehan/the-racist-art-of-michael- dantuono]</ref>
His piece inspired by the [[Trayvon Martin]] tragedy, ”A Tale Of Two Hoodies”, generated discourse concerning the racism faced by African American youth. The painting was listed for sale on [[EBay]] but the website later removed because it violated their terms and conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dial |first=Yvette |date=2017-12-18 |title=A Tale of Two Hoodies, |url=https://artcrimearchive.net/2017/12/18/a-tale-of-two-hoodies/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> The piece was later sold on [[ArtFido]].<ref>Linehan, Dan (2012-04-23) The Racist Art of Michael D’Antuono Wagist.com [http://www.wagist.com/2012/dan-linehan/the-racist-art-of-michael- dantuono]</ref>
Taking aim at the Republican opposition to congressional tax increases, D’Antuono created ”Who the Hell Is Grover Norquist?” in 2012. The work highlights the influence Norquist, the founder and president of [[Americans for Tax Reform]], holds in the Republican Party.<ref>(2012-11-27) Michael D’Antuono’s ‘Who The Hell Is Grover Norquist’ Painting May Haunt Your Dreams HuffingtonPost.com [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/grover-norquist-wizard-of- oz_n_2198484.html]</ref>
Taking aim at the Republican opposition to congressional tax increases, created ”Who the Hell Is Grover Norquist?” in 2012. The work highlights the influence Norquist, the founder and president of [[Americans for Tax Reform]], holds in the Republican Party.<ref>(2012-11-27) Michael D’Antuono’s ‘Who The Hell Is Grover Norquist’ Painting May Haunt Your Dreams HuffingtonPost.com [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/grover-norquist-wizard-of- oz_n_2198484.html]</ref>
D’Antuono has also created pieces on corporate influence, dependence on foreign oil, media bias, immigration, outsourcing, Citizens United, and other social and political issues.<ref>McIntire-Strasburg, Jeff (2009-07-02) Independence(from oil) Day SundanceChannel.com [http://www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/2009/07/independence-from-oil-day/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710071149/http://www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/2009/07/independence-from-oil-day/|date=2011-07-10}}</ref>
D’Antuono has also created pieces on corporate influence, dependence on foreign oil, media bias, immigration, outsourcing, Citizens United, and other social and political issues.<ref>McIntire-Strasburg, Jeff (2009-07-02) Independence(from oil) Day SundanceChannel.com [http://www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/2009/07/independence-from-oil-day/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710071149/http://www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/2009/07/independence-from-oil-day/|date=2011-07-10}}</ref>
==Inspirations==
==Inspirations==
D’Antuono’s [https://artandresponse.com/ website] displays the Picasso quote, “Art is not meant to decorate rooms; it is an offensive weapon in the defense against the enemy”. In interviews, D’Antuono has indicated that the purpose of his art is to challenge people to think more deeply about socio-political issues.<ref>Menzie, Nicole (2012-11-27) ‘Crucified’ Obama Painting Displayed at Boston Gallery Still Controversial GlobalChristianPost.com [http://global.christianpost.com/news/crucified-obama-painting-displayed-at-boston-gallery-still-controversial-85662/]</ref>
D’ website displays the Picasso quote, “Art is not meant to decorate rooms; it is an offensive weapon in the defense against the . In interviews, has indicated that the purpose of his art is to challenge people to think more deeply about issues.<ref>Menzie, Nicole (2012-11-27) ‘Crucified’ Obama Painting Displayed at Boston Gallery Still Controversial GlobalChristianPost.com [http://global.christianpost.com/news/crucified-obama-painting-displayed-at-boston-gallery-still-controversial-85662/]</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://artandresponse.com/paintings/talk/ Official website]
* https://artandresponse.com/
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:D’Antuono, Michael}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:D’Antuono, Michael}}
American artist

Michael D’Antuono is an American contemporary artist whose painting style focuses primarily on sociopolitical issues. He is known for his portrait of the U.S. President Barack Obama in front of the Presidential Seal entitled The Truth.
D’Antuono worked as an art director for the New York City advertising agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, where he created television campaigns. He also works as a freelance illustrator.[1]
D’Antuono’s painting of United States President Barack Obama titled The Truth, which depicts Obama standing in front of the U.S. Presidential seal holding curtains on each side and wearing a crown of thorns, created a great deal of political controversy. D’Antuono planned to unveil the painting at New York City’s Union Square on April 29, 2009, to mark the 100th day of Obama’s presidency; however, the artist canceled the public unveiling due to an outpour of protests by the religious right, including thousands of e-mails, phone calls, and blog posts demanding the planned exhibit be shut down.[2][3]
Four years after his initial attempt, D’Antuono was invited to publicly display The Truth along with several other of his paintings at Boston’s Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery as part of their “Artists on the Stump—the Road to the White House 2012” exhibition. This created another controversy.[4][5][6][7] Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights president Bill Donahue and former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain were among those who denounced the painting.[8]
His piece inspired by the Trayvon Martin tragedy, A Tale Of Two Hoodies, generated discourse concerning the racism faced by African American youth. The painting was listed for sale on EBay but the website later removed because it violated their terms and conditions.[9] The piece was later sold on ArtFido.[10]
Taking aim at the Republican opposition to congressional tax increases, D’Antuono created Who the Hell Is Grover Norquist? in 2012. The work highlights the influence that Norquist, the founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform, holds in the Republican Party.[11]
D’Antuono has also created pieces on corporate influence, dependence on foreign oil, media bias, immigration, outsourcing, Citizens United, and other social and political issues.[12]
D’Antuono’s website displays the Picasso quote, “Art is not meant to decorate rooms; it is an offensive weapon in the defense against the enemy.” In interviews, D’Antuono has indicated that the purpose of his art is to challenge people to think more deeply about sociopolitical issues.[13]
- ^ McCuaig, Amanda (2012-02-21) “Michael D’Antuono challenges US government’s monetary redistribution” ArtThreat.com 02/michaeldantuon/ Archived 2013-04-10 at archive.today
- ^ Maron, Mark (2009-04-27) Break Room Live With Maron & Seder – Michael D’Antuono Interview. antuono-interview-breakroomlive-com-2063474[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hemingway, Mark (2009-04-27) You Can’t Handel The Truth NationalReviewOnline.com cant-handle-truth/mark-hemingway
- ^ Hall, Jonathan (2012-11-28) Artist under scrutiny for Obama painting NBC News [1]
- ^ FOX News (2012-11-26) Bunker Hill Community College artist depicts Obama with crown of thorns MyFoxBoston.com christ#ixzz2EsUoEnpS
- ^ Bennett-Smith, Meredith (2012-11-27) Barack Obama Depicted As Jesus: ‘The Truth’ Painting Draws Criticism For Controversial Metaphor HuffingtonPost.com the-truth-controversial_n_2199073.html
- ^ McLeod, Judi (2012-11-28) President-for-Life, King of the World paving the way for Messiahship CanadaFreePress.com [2]
- ^ Roberts, Bill (2012-11-28) Artist Depicts Obama as Christ Crucified CharismaNews.com obama-as-christ-crucified
- ^ Dial, Yvette (2017-12-18). “A Tale of Two Hoodies,”. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- ^ Linehan, Dan (2012-04-23) The Racist Art of Michael D’Antuono Wagist.com dantuono
- ^ (2012-11-27) Michael D’Antuono’s ‘Who The Hell Is Grover Norquist’ Painting May Haunt Your Dreams HuffingtonPost.com oz_n_2198484.html
- ^ McIntire-Strasburg, Jeff (2009-07-02) Independence(from oil) Day SundanceChannel.com [3] Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Menzie, Nicole (2012-11-27) ‘Crucified’ Obama Painting Displayed at Boston Gallery Still Controversial GlobalChristianPost.com [4]



