Marcus Chen
Since the time of George Washington, it has been a tradition to have an official portrait of the US president, usually an oil painting. These portraits are often unveiled in a ceremony after the president has left office, and they are usually commissioned by the outgoing president themselves. The portraits are steeped in tradition and hold cultural significance, reflecting the values and aesthetics of their respective eras. The tradition has evolved with the times, with recent presidents opting for photographs or digital art (NFTs) instead of paintings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medium | Oil paintings, photographs, and digital art (NFTs) |
| Timing | Portraits are usually unveiled several years after the president leaves office |
| Selection of artist | Presidents typically select the artist who paints their portrait |
| Location | Portraits are displayed in the Oval Office or elsewhere in the White House |
| Ceremony | Most presidents participate in an unveiling ceremony, which is often a bipartisan event |
| Symbolism | Portraits may incorporate symbolic elements reflecting the president's achievements or the nation's aspirations |
| Influence | Presidential portraits influence popular culture and inspire various forms of artistic expression |
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What You'll Learn
Presidents traditionally select their portrait artists
Since the time of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington, it has been a tradition for the president of the United States to have an official portrait created during their time in office. This tradition has continued to modern times, with presidents typically selecting the artists who will create their official portraits.
The first official portrait of President Herbert Hoover was completed 23 years after he left office, in 1941, by John Christen Johansen. However, Hoover later commissioned a second portrait, which was completed in 1956 by Elmer Wesley Greene. This painting replaced the original and is now the official White House portrait of Hoover.
President John F. Kennedy's official portrait was painted posthumously in 1970 by Aaron Shikler at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy. Unlike most presidential portraits, Kennedy's depicts him as pensive, with his eyes downcast and arms folded. Jacqueline Kennedy also requested that Shikler create an image different from the typical portrayal of her husband, without "the bags under his eyes and that penetrating gaze".
The portrait of President Ronald Reagan by Aaron Shikler in 1989 was rejected as it was deemed an insufficient likeness and put into storage in 1991. A second portrait, painted by Everett Raymond Kinstler in 1991, was considered more successful and currently hangs in the White House.
The presidential portrait of Bill Clinton, painted by Simmie Knox, was the first of such portraits to be painted by an African American artist.
In 2022, President Biden unveiled the portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, continuing the tradition of unveiling ceremonies that often take place several years after a president leaves office.
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Oil paintings are predominant, but photography and digital art are recent additions
Since the time of George Washington, the first President of the United States, it has been a tradition to have an official portrait of the president created during their time in office. These portraits are often oil paintings, but with the advent of photography, some presidents have opted for photographs or even digital art (such as NFTs) to commemorate their time in office.
The White House and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., house comprehensive collections of these presidential portraits. The National Portrait Gallery has been collecting presidential portraits since its creation in 1962 and began commissioning its own portraits in 1994, starting with George H.W. Bush. The White House Historical Association has also played an active role in acquiring and donating portraits of recent presidents and first ladies since 1965.
The tradition of creating official presidential portraits continues to evolve, embracing new artistic movements and societal changes. Presidents typically select the artist who will create their official portrait, and these portraits often hold cultural significance, reflecting the values and aesthetics of their respective eras. They also serve as important historical records, offering a window into the nation's history and the individuals who have shaped it.
While most presidential portraits are completed during the president's term, there have been instances where portraits were completed after the president had left office. For example, Herbert Hoover's official portrait was completed 23 years after he left office, and John F. Kennedy's official portrait was painted posthumously at the request of his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, in 1970.
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Portraits are unveiled at bipartisan ceremonies
Since the time of George Washington, it has been a tradition for the president of the United States to have an official portrait. While oil paintings have been the predominant medium, recent presidents have also been depicted through photography and digital art (including NFTs).
The unveiling of presidential portraits is often a bipartisan ceremony, with warm greetings and collegial speeches exchanged by the president and their predecessor. The most recent of these events took place in 2022 when President Biden unveiled the portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The portraits of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy were unveiled in a similar ceremony hosted by President Richard Nixon and First Lady Patricia Nixon, who welcomed the Kennedy family to the White House to see the portraits before they were publicly displayed.
Presidents generally select the artist who paints their official portraits, and many love the result. However, there have been exceptions. For instance, Ronald Reagan rejected his first portrait, painted by Aaron Shikler, and it was put into storage in 1991. A second portrait, painted by Everett Raymond Kinstler, was deemed more successful and now hangs in the White House.
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Portraits are influential in popular culture
Portraits have been a part of human culture for millennia, dating back to ancient Egypt around 5,000 years ago. They have served as a means to record the appearance of individuals, especially before the invention of photography. However, portraits offer more than just a visual record; they provide insights into the social, cultural, and political contexts of their time. Portraiture stands at the intersection of art, biography, and history, allowing viewers to feel a sense of connection with the subjects, who are often ordinary people. This accessibility and focus on identity, psychology, and humanity have contributed to the enduring popularity of portraits in popular culture.
In the United States, presidential portraits are a notable aspect of this tradition. Since the time of George Washington, the first US president, it has been customary for presidents to have their official portraits created during their term, often in the form of oil paintings. These portraits may be painted from life or based on photographs, as in the case of Warren G. Harding's portrait by F. Luis Mora. The White House Historical Association plays a significant role in acquiring and donating presidential portraits, ensuring their preservation and display.
The creation and unveiling of presidential portraits can be ceremonial events, often taking place several years after a president leaves office. These ceremonies are bipartisan occasions marked by warm greetings and collegial exchanges between the current president and their predecessor. The portraits are then displayed in the Oval Office, the White House, or other significant locations, such as the National Portrait Gallery.
Presidential portraits can also be a means for the subjects to shape their legacy. For example, Herbert Hoover commissioned a second portrait by Elmer Wesley Greene in 1956, which now stands as the official White House portrait, replacing the original by John Christen Johansen completed in 1941. Similarly, Jacqueline Kennedy requested Aaron Shikler to paint a pensive and unique portrayal of her late husband, President John F. Kennedy, which was unveiled in 1971.
Beyond the United States, portraiture has held different meanings and purposes across cultures and periods. In ancient China, the style and subject of portraits varied with the culture of each dynasty, reflecting Confucian ideals and the status of women. During the Renaissance, portraiture flourished, influenced by classical cultures and humanism, and became a means to showcase earthly success and status. Northern European artists led the way in realistic portraits, utilizing oil colours and canvas to achieve greater detail and texture.
Portraits continue to be influential in popular culture, with exhibitions and awards dedicated to this art form. They provide a window into the past, connecting us to individuals from different eras, and offering insights into their lives, societies, and our shared humanity.
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Portraits are symbolic of presidential achievements
Since the time of George Washington, the first President of the United States, it has been a tradition to have an official portrait taken during the president's time in office. These portraits are often symbolic of presidential achievements and the nation's aspirations during their tenure. They reflect the values and aesthetics of their respective eras and influence popular culture, inspiring various forms of media and artistic expression.
Presidential portraits are usually commissioned by the White House or the National Portrait Gallery, and the president typically selects the artist. The portraits are often oil paintings, but in modern times, they may also be photographs or digital art (NFTs). The artists chosen to create these portraits face the unique challenge of capturing the likeness and essence of a president.
The portraits are usually unveiled several years after the president leaves office in a ceremony that is often bipartisan, with warm greetings and collegial speeches exchanged by the current president and their predecessor. The portraits are then displayed in the White House or the National Portrait Gallery, making them accessible to the public.
Some examples of symbolic elements in presidential portraits include the portrait of President Johnson, which depicts him in the foreground with the Capitol dome in the background, representing his time in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Another example is the portrait of John Tyler by George Peter Alexander Healy, which depicts him holding a crumpled piece of a D.C. newspaper that had praised his rival's politics. These portraits offer a window into the nation's history and the individuals who have shaped it.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, presidential paintings are often done after the president leaves office. There is usually an unveiling ceremony several years after the president has left office, which is often a bipartisan event.
Traditionally, the president selects the artist who will create their official portrait.
The tradition of presidential paintings began with a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Since then, it has been customary for the sitting president to have their portrait done during their time in office.
