Art for the President's House--An Historical Perspective

For much of the time, subject matter took precedence over the artist's reputation or the work's quality of execution. Portraits of early Presidents were copied during the 19th century to provide the White House with suitable likenesses. This documentary emphasis resulted in paintings that vary widely in quality and often lack the vitality and character of the life portraits they replicated or interpreted.

By the 1880s Presidents and First Ladies began commissioning grander portraits from nationally known and even internationally famous artists. Perhaps our turn-of-the-century leaders wished to have more of a hand in how they were remembered, a change that itself indicates the rise of art consciousness. As the collections policy of the White House became more clearly articulated and as the field of American art matured as well, acquisitions criteria were greatly expanded to give artistic considerations more weight, balancing the documentary excesses of previous generations. Yet the acquisition of life portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies consistently remained the first priority for the collection.

A full-length portrait of George Washington (at the right), purchased for $800--a significant sum when expended on July 5,1800--set the policy for gathering works of art that served primarily as historical documents. Indeed this 1797 painting is actually a replica by Gilbert Stuart of the portrait of Washington he had painted the previous year. From time to time, the identity of the artist has been questioned, but the iconic significance of the image far outweighs any question of attribution. Stuart's multiple portraits of George Washington--he made two of them from life and many replicas--established the first President's countenance firmly in the public mind, as an idealized exaltation of a great national hero. Exhibited in New York in 1798, one of Stuart's Washington portraits was appreciated as much for its subject as for its artistic quality:

"While the intrinsic merit of the picture alone presented an admirable specimen of the fine arts for the gratification of the chaste connoisseur, recollection naturally called to mind the unparalleled services and eminent virtues of this illustrious sage."

Hanging in the East Room, the most prominent ceremonial space in the White House, the Father of the Country presides over bill signing ceremonies, official entertainments, and press conferences.

[Martha Washington] is one of those historic pictures that hold the inherent immortality of history rather than purely of art. [Gilbert] Stuart's original portrait of Lady Washington was simply of the head and bust.... [W]hile the likeness is taken from that... the rest [is] original with Mr. Andrews.

President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House
White House for Kids | White House History
White House Tours | Help | Text Only

Privacy Statement