Marcus Chen
John F. Kennedy's official portrait, painted by Aaron Shikler, is unique among presidential portraits. The painting, unveiled in 1971, features Kennedy standing with his arms crossed and eyes downcast, a pose inspired by a photograph of his brother, Ted, grieving at Kennedy's funeral. Shikler's aesthetic was shaped by Kennedy's widow, Jackie, who wanted to avoid the typical depiction of her husband with bags under his eyes and that penetrating gaze. This iconic portrait, which hangs in the White House, has elicited strong responses, with some appreciating its deviation from traditional presidential portraits and others criticising its portrayal of Kennedy. Aside from Shikler's work, posthumous portraits of Kennedy have been created by artists such as Jamie Wyeth and Elaine de Kooning, reflecting their personal connections to the Kennedy family and their unique artistic styles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Aaron Shikler, Elaine de Kooning, Jamie B. Wyeth |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Size | 30x24 inches |
| Style | Portraiture |
| Subject | John F. Kennedy |
| Year | 1971 |
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What You'll Learn
Artists who have painted portraits of JFK
Several artists have painted portraits of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. One of the most notable is Elaine de Kooning, whose work can be found in the National Portrait Gallery. De Kooning was an abstract expressionist and an unorthodox choice for the task, as she had executed few commissioned works in her career. Her portraits were primarily of close friends and family. However, her skill at recording the essence of a subject in a few sittings won her the job. De Kooning was given access to the president during his winter sojourn in Palm Beach, Florida, in late 1962 and early 1963. She recalled her experience painting the President in an ARTnews article in the summer of 1964, stating that she was chosen for the task because she could "start and finish a life-size portrait in one sitting." However, Kennedy's extreme restlessness—he was constantly reading papers, talking on the phone, and jotting down notes—made this impossible. De Kooning ended up making many quick sketches of Kennedy, which she later assembled into a portrait.
Another artist who has painted a portrait of JFK is Jamie B. Wyeth, a long-time supporter and friend of the Kennedy family. Wyeth excelled in portraiture and painstakingly studied his subjects, even taking an anatomy course to better understand the human body. His posthumous portrait of JFK is one of his most important and recognized pieces.
Aaron Shikler was commissioned by Jackie Kennedy to paint the official portrait of her husband, which hangs in the White House. Shikler stated that Jackie gave him specific directions on painting her husband’s image, saying, "I don’t want him to look the way everybody else makes him look, with the bags under his eyes and that penetrating gaze. I’m tired of that image." Shikler found inspiration from a photograph of JFK’s brother, Ted, grieving at his brother’s funeral, with his head bowed and arms crossed.
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The story behind JFK's official portrait
John F. Kennedy's official White House portrait was painted by Aaron Shikler and unveiled in 1971. The painting stands out from other presidential portraits for several reasons. Firstly, Kennedy is depicted standing, with his arms crossed and eyes downcast, his face obscured. This is in contrast to the typical portrayal of presidents sitting at desks, with a direct gaze.
Shikler explained his artistic choice, saying:
> "Well, everybody goes after the eyes. All presidential portraits have eyes that look right at you. I wanted to do something with more meaning. I hoped to show a courage that made him humble."
The portrait's aesthetic was shaped by Kennedy's widow, Jackie, who commissioned the painting after her husband's death. She wanted to move away from the typical depiction of her husband, requesting that Shikler avoid "the bags under his eyes and that penetrating gaze". She felt that this image, which was often reproduced, did not capture her husband's true character.
In addition to the official White House portrait, there are several other notable portraits of Kennedy. One such example is the work of Elaine de Kooning, who was commissioned in 1962 to paint an official portrait of JFK for the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. De Kooning's portrait, completed in 1963, is described as capturing the youth, movement, and intensity of the young president. It is also noted for its use of bold colours, including green, gold, and light blue, which set it apart from more monochromatic presidential portraits.
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The cost of a portrait painting
Smaller portraits typically range from $60 to $100, while larger and more intricate masterpieces can cost $200 or significantly more. Some artists charge by the square inch, with prices increasing exponentially as the size of the painting and the level of detail increase. Others charge a flat rate per portrait, which can range from $400 to $2000 or more, depending on the artist's skill and experience.
Traditional hand-painted portraits tend to be more expensive than digital portraits due to the higher production costs associated with traditional art supplies. Oil paintings on canvas, for example, can be priced at $300 or more for a 16" x 20" artwork, while a digital artist may charge approximately $100 for the same size.
When commissioning a portrait, it is essential to consider the artist's talent, years of practice, and the time and energy invested in developing their skills. These factors contribute to the overall quality of the artwork and can justify higher prices. It is also common for artists to have a waitlist for their work, which typically results in higher prices.
Market research is crucial when determining the cost of a portrait painting. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Etsy, and other freelancing platforms can provide insights into the pricing strategies of other artists. It is recommended to start with competitive pricing and gradually increase rates as demand and credibility grow.
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The uniqueness of JFK's portrait
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, has been the subject of several portraits, each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most notable portraits of JFK is the one painted by Elaine de Kooning, which broke all the rules. De Kooning was commissioned to paint JFK in 1962 and spent several sessions with him in Palm Beach. She described him as "incandescent", and aimed to capture his essence through several sittings. However, Kennedy's constant activity and ever-changing appearance made her job challenging. After his assassination, de Kooning painted the president's image obsessively, finally settling on a glimpse of him. The resulting portrait, which now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, is a swirling rush of green, gold, and light blue, standing out among the more monochromatic images of other leaders.
Another unique portrait of JFK is the one painted by Aaron Shikler, which hangs in the White House. This portrait is known for Kennedy's downward gaze, with his head bowed and arms crossed. The pose was inspired by a photograph of JFK's brother, Ted, grieving at his funeral. Jackie Kennedy chose this sketch, and Shikler described his intention to portray "a man who looked like he could think". The painting stands out against the more noble poses of other presidents and has been the subject of discussion and debate.
In addition to these two well-known portraits, there are several other unique portrayals of JFK. One posthumous portrait was painted by Jamie Wyeth, a long-time friend of the Kennedy family. Wyeth excelled in portraiture and studied his subjects extensively, even taking an anatomy course to better understand the human body. He wanted to capture the essence of his subjects' characters and held numerous meetings with them. Wyeth's portrait of JFK is one of his most important and recognized pieces.
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The posthumous nature of the paintings
One of the most well-known posthumous portraits of JFK is by Aaron Shikler, which hangs in the White House. Unveiled in 1971, the painting stands out among the myriad paintings of men sitting at desks. Shikler's portrait depicts Kennedy standing, with arms crossed and eyes downcast, his face obscured. The pose was inspired by a photograph of JFK's brother, Ted, grieving at his funeral, and it was specifically chosen by Jackie Kennedy, the former First Lady. She wanted to move away from the typical depiction of her husband, requesting that Shikler not portray him with "the bags under his eyes and that penetrating gaze."
Another posthumous portrait of JFK is by Jamie B. Wyeth, a long-time friend of the Kennedy family. Wyeth excelled in portraiture and studied his subjects intently, even taking an anatomy course to better understand the human body. His portrait of Kennedy is one of his most important and recognized pieces.
Elaine de Kooning, another artist, produced a painting of JFK for the Harry S. Truman Library. She had been commissioned to paint JFK in 1962 and spent several sessions with him in Palm Beach. However, she struggled to capture his likeness, as he was constantly surrounded by activity and his appearance changed slightly each day. After his assassination, de Kooning was deeply affected, spending four days in front of the TV, watching the nation mourn. She tried to paint him during those dark days but couldn't bring herself to do so for months. She eventually created faceless bronze busts of Kennedy, calling them "portraits of grief."
The posthumous portraits of JFK reflect the artists' interpretations of a beloved leader whose life ended too soon. Each artist brought their unique perspective and emotional response to the task, resulting in paintings that capture not only Kennedy's essence but also the weight of his untimely death.
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Frequently asked questions
Aaron Shikler painted the official White House portrait of JFK.
Unlike other presidential portraits, JFK's portrait features him standing with his arms crossed and eyes downcast.
Shikler painted JFK in this pose because he wanted to portray a man who could think and show courage that made him humble.
Yes, there are other notable portraits of JFK, including those by artists such as Elaine de Kooning, Jamie Wyeth, and Kehinde Wiley.
