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Princess Turandot

(4,832 posts)
18. There are two sets of President/First Lady portraits traditionally commissioned..
Thu Aug 18, 2022, 12:06 AM
Aug 2022

One set is commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery for each POTUS/FLOTUS.

The portraits being discussed above are a gift to the public from the White House Historical Association, the organization founded by Jackie Kennedy in 1961, to "to protect, preserve, and provide public access to the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion."

In addition to commissioning the portraits of the current occupants (beginning in 1965), the association has also worked to acquire portraits of prior POTUS/FLOTUS from other collections. The artist nowadays is selected by the First Couple, and unveiled after their term is complete, normally in a ceremony hosted by the current POTUS/FLOTUS. The Obamas hosted the Bushes ~ 2012 in a cute, non-political event. Trump refused to do the same for the Obamas. (He also moved the paintings sets of 42 and 43 (I think those were the ones) out of the prominent position in the building usually accorded to the most recent presidents.)

I don't know what they're going to do with Trump though. There are paintings of the Nixons in the collection, although no ceremony took place for them. After the WHHA commissioned one in 1981, Nixon commissioned his own in 1984, and gave it to the collection! (When the beautiful portraits of JFK and JBK were completed in 1970, the Nixons hosted Jackie and the children for a private unveiling, since she didn't wish to have a public ceremony.)

You can see the paintings here (if this longwinded reply hasn't put you to sleep). A number of them are very done.
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-backgrounders/official-white-house-portraits
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/galleries/presidential-portraits
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/galleries/first-lady-portraits

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POTUS Biden is going to host former POTUS Obama instead, I believe, since that boor TFG did not Hekate Aug 2022 #1
Thanks! William769 Aug 2022 #2
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sheshe2 Aug 2022 #4
... William769 Aug 2022 #9
:) sheshe2 Aug 2022 #10
(corrected) I thought Prs Obama's official portrait was unveiled already... electric_blue68 Aug 2022 #3
And real American patriots pissing on it. DemocraticPatriot Aug 2022 #6
Unusual, perhaps. sheshe2 Aug 2022 #14
TY 👍 Maybe what I'm thinking/confused about... electric_blue68 Aug 2022 #19
There are two sets of President/First Lady portraits traditionally commissioned.. Princess Turandot Aug 2022 #18
Oh, I didn't realize this! TY. 👍 No wonder I am confused! electric_blue68 Aug 2022 #20
If Trump is invited eventually, he might be tough to attend if he's in prison. Liberty Belle Aug 2022 #5
... William769 Aug 2022 #7
Heh! (sad trombone) Sorry, NOT Sorry! electric_blue68 Aug 2022 #8
Trigger Warning! sheshe2 Aug 2022 #11
OMFG! William769 Aug 2022 #12
I warned ya. sheshe2 Aug 2022 #13
Ewww...Yup, I can't unsee it now; the emperor, cut off at the knees, has no toes! n/t Backseat Driver Aug 2022 #16
I can't stop laughing. Mickju Aug 2022 #17
Love it! But hands are too big, body is much too skinny. fierywoman Aug 2022 #21
TFG smile Tetrachloride Aug 2022 #15
Melania's portrait...? Is she nude? Grins Aug 2022 #22
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