Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle unveiled their official portraits at the National Portrait Gallery to a very mixed reception.

Speaking at the unveiling of the official portraits, the former first lady said she hopes the painting of her will serve as an inspiration to young black women who will see "someone who looks like them" hanging in Washington's National Gallery.

While Mr Obama praised the artist, Amy Sherald, for "so spectacularly capturing the grace and beauty and intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman I love".

But critics suggested the painting bore very little resemblance to Mrs Obama in the portrait by the critically-acclaimed artist.