Portraits of Historical Presidents
Americans enjoy visiting Washington that provides tours to let people see centuries-old buildings and monuments. Art lovers can view all 43 portraits of the presidents, giving them a glimpse of the past. Some of the portraits are in the White House, based on the opinions of the sitting presidents, while the rest can be seen at the National Gallery of Art.
A renowned portrait artist of his day, Gilbert Stuart, began painting George Washington in 1797. First lady Dolley Madison later saved the painting when the White House was torched by British troops during the War of 1812. The $1 adorns the incomplete painting of the other Stuart painting of the first president.
There are fascinating stories of Presidential Portraits all throughout history. When Theodore Roosevelt had his first painting done, he hated it, so John Singer Sargent re did it. Sargent spent time following the president around to get the right light and pose. Roosevelt grew impatient with the painter, and the two exchanged heated words on the staircase leading up to the second floor. It was at that spot, with the inpatient Roosevelt gripping a balustrade post, that Sargent captured the image of the 26th president.
one of the most unique Presidential series was done by Sir William Orpen of Woodrow Wilson. The painter caught up with him onstage at the Paris Peace Conference. Wilson took an unwelcome break so Orpen never finished the painting. The canvas’s bottom was never finished, making it a work in progress, much like the Paris peace conference was.
In the 20th century, photography was developed. Presidential oil paintings were commissioned until after the president let office. John F. Kennedy was painted posthumously in 1970. The portrait is perhaps the most poignant in the presidential collection. Kennedy looks downward with his arms crossed as he appears brooding and pensive. The work is considered a reflection of Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, the promise lost, and his legacy left unfinished.
Simmie Knox made history by becoming the first African-American to paint a Presidential Portrait with Bill Clinton, the 42nd president. It features a relaxed Clinton, standing with a hand in his pocket. It is the first in the Presidential Portrait series to feature an American Flag.
George W. Bush asked one of his Yale classmates, Robert A. Anderson to paint his portrait. The president was sitting. Wearing a light blue Western-style shirt, is smiling hopefully, perhaps asking the American people to think more favorably of his tumultuous time in office. Bush couldn’t wait to leave office to have the painting revealed. The picture displayed at the National Portrait Gallery on the 19th of December, 2008, This picture stayed on display in the National Portrait Gallery until December 19, 2008 before Barack Obama’s inauguration.
About the author: Robert Butcher contributes to the wealth management advisor and lifestyle design sites.
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