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Presidents’ Day: Presidential art throughout the ages Artists have depicted our commander in chief in dignified, formal portraits and playful caricature.
This 1796 Gilbert Stuart is one of the most iconic images of George Washington, founding father and first president of the United States.
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AP
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"Thomas Jefferson," by Michel Sokolnicki, 1798-1799.
Michel Sokolnicki
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
This 1849 painting of Zachary Taylor, 12th president of the United States, is by Joseph H. Bush. Taylor is holding a sword to emphasize his military career and heroics in the Mexican War.
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AP
"Reagan on Horseback" by Patrick Oliphant.
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Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery
A statue of John F. Kennedy that depicts him giving the famous "man on the moon" speech is on display at Space View Park in Titusville, Fla.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
"Franklin Delano Roosevelt," by Douglas Granville Chandor, is a study for a larger painting, which explains the many sets of hands. At the lower left, a drawing commemorates Roosevelt’s meeting with wartime Allied leaders Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at Yalta.
Douglas Granville Chandor
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
"John Quincy Adams," William Hudson Jr., oil on canvas, 1844
William Hudson Jr.
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
"George H.W. Bush," by Arthur Grace, gelatin silver print, 1987 (printed 2010)
Arthur Grace
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Debra Breslow-Grace © Arthur Grace
"Abraham Lincoln," George Peter Alexander Healy, oil on canvas, 1887
George Peter Alexander Healy
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust
“Abraham Obama,” by Ron English, shows how far we’ve come as a country, from Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to the election of our first African-American president.
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Ron English
Famed painter of Americana Norman Rockwell created this portrait of Nixon in 1968.
Norman Rockwell
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Shepard Fairey holds his Obama “Hope” poster, which became an iconic image of the campaign. A version of it is in the National Portrait Gallery.
Jonathan Alcorn
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For The Washington Post
"George H.W. Bush," by Roger Norman Sherr, oil on canvas, 1995
Roger Norman Sherr
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Krueger
This portrait of Ronald Reagan, by Aaron Shikler, was created for Time magazine’s "Man of the Year" issue, 1980.
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Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery
"Dwight Eisenhower," by Thomas E. Stephens, oil on canvas, 1947
Thomas E. Stephens
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Ailsa Mellon Bruce
"Andrew Jackson," by Ferdinand Pettrich, marble, replica of 1836 original
Ferdinand Pettrich
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
"Woodrow Wilson," by Arthur Mole, John D. Thomas. Gelatin silver print, 1918.
Arthur Mole, John D. Thomas
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Richard and Andrea Kremer
A 900-pound statue of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan is viewed Nov. 1, 2011, shortly after being unveiled during ceremonies dedicating the new statue at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The artist, Chas Fagan, has sculpted Reagan five times.
Paul J. Richards
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AFP/Getty Images
Bill Clinton is depicted as Uncle Sam by Christopher Fox Payne.
Christopher Fox Payne
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine
Painter Dan Lacey has become famous for his portraits of famous people with pancakes on their heads. Here’s one showing Obama with a pancake for a hat.
Dan Lacey
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Dan Lacey
Lacey also painted former President George W. Bush with a pancake on his head, in this painting titled “Sad Pancake.”
Dan Lacey
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Dan Lacey
Lacey depicted former president Bill Clinton with a buttery pancake on his head.
Dan Lacey
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Dan Lacey
"Jimmy Carter" by Pat Oliphant.
Pat Oliphant
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution © Pat Oliphant
"George W. Bush," by Robert A. Anderson, oil on canvas, 2008.
Robert A. Anderson
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National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
“Obama Hulk,” by Ron English, gives our current president superhero strength.
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Ron English
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