Bust of MLK Joins President Obama in Oval Office

[Pirate Smile]

Bust of MLK Joins President Obama in Oval Office
March 18, 2009 9:53 PM

Well, here's another way President Obama has put his historic stamp on the presidency. With no fanfare or media attention, President Obama last month added a new decoration to the Oval Office: a 12 5/8" bronze bust of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

The work, titled "Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)," is by celebrated African-American sculptor Charles Alston -- the first African-American instructor at the Art Students League -- who died in 1977.



Created in 1970, it was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery in 1974.

When the Smithsonian lent the bust to the President Bill Clinton's White House in 2000 to be displayed in the White House Library, that marked, believe it or not, the very first time that the image of an African-American was displayed in a public space in the White House.

Pretty astounding, when you think about it, given the bust's current place of honor.

The King bust sits near the fireplace and adjacent a bust of President Abraham Lincoln, with the two legendary Americans facing President Obama when he sits at the HMS Resolute Desk. The Lincoln bust sits where a bust of Sir Winston Churchill -- on loan from the British Embassy after the 9/11 attacks, and returned before Mr. Obama's inauguration -- once sat.

-- jpt

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/03/bust-of-mlk-joi.html

[firedupdem]

1. I thought I saw a glimpse of it the other day but wasn't sure. Very

nice!

[Thrill]

2. Is he going to change the carpet and the paint in the Oval Office?

Most Presidents put their own touch on it

[firedupdem]

3. Can you imagine the uproar when he does decide to change it?

The "noise" will go on for at least a week!

[4lbs]

11. He's waiting until the new dog craps on that. Then he'll have a reason to change it.

:D

[sandnsea]

4. And now GB can STFU n/t

[babylonsister]

5. That's terrific! I'm sure it's great to have his own inspirations to

comfort him.

[asphalt.jungle]

6. here they are in the oval office

[rvablue]

12. Dr. King and President Lincoln. Nice! n/t

[Clio the Leo]

7. Peace out Winston!

http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2009/03/12/opinion/srv0000004885080.txt

Now, HOW can we arrange a swap with the UK for the "Audacity of Hope" painting?

We want to swap THIS painting by George Frederic Watts which currently hangs in the White House
http://www.oceansbridge.com/oil-paintings/product/65562/loveandlife/53196a3e31353d792f590f6db0be74f8

for THIS one by George Frederic Watts which SHOULD hang in the Oval Office!
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1128/p04s02-woeu.html


Seriously! He's going to London in two weeks! He could put it in his suitcase or something! :)

[FrenchieCat]

8. Now see, this is making me cry.....

it is.

[BlooInBloo]

9. (shrug) Who *wouldn't* want a bust of arguably the greatest American ever in their office?

[Cha]

10. That's just so

emotionally, significantly historic.

Thank you, Pirate:)