Presidential Portraits
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A trip to Washington, with its monuments and centuries-old buildings, is a historic tour enjoyed by most Americans. Art lovers can view all 43 portraits of the presidents, giving them a glimpse of the past. Some of the oil paintings are on display at the White House, at the choice of the sitting president, while the others can be seen at the National Gallery of Art.
Gilbert Stuart, a renowned portrait artist of his day, began the presidential series by painting George Washington in 1797. When the White House was torched in 1812, Dolly Madison, the first lady, saved the painting. The one dollar bill is on the incomplete painting of George Washington.
There are many fascinating stories about the portraits. Theodore Roosevelt loathed his first portrait, so a second painter, John Singer Sargent, was hired to create something more to Teddy's liking. Sargent followed Roosevelt all around the house to get him in the perfect light. It was not long before the president grew inpatient, exchanging heated words on a staircase that lead to the second floor. Sargent caught a picture just as Roosevelt was gripping the banister.
one of the most unique Presidential series was done by Sir William Orpen of Woodrow Wilson. The Irish painter eventually caught up with President Wilson as he faced the world stage at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 following World War I. The painting was never finished. The canvas's bottom was never finished, making it a work in progress, much like the Paris peace conference was.
Photography developed in the 20th century. Presidential oil paintings were commissioned until after the president let office. John F. Kennedy was painted posthumously in 1970. This is most likely known as the most touching picture in the entire presidential collection. It shows Kennedy standing and looking downward, arms crossed, pensive and brooding. It is said to be a reflection of the legacy left by him.
Simmie Knox was the first black painter to paint a presidential portrait. Clinton is relaxed in this picture with his hand in his pocket. This is also the first portrait of a president to include the American flag.
George W. Bush asked one of his Yale classmates, Robert A. Anderson to paint his portrait. The president sat. The president wore a Western-style light blue shirt, smiling as what seemed to be a request for the American people to consider good times in the tumultuous time he served in office. Bush was excited, eager to reveal his painting. 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.
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