Presented by the White House Historical Association
Presidential Portraits
- Host
- Stewart McLaurin
- Guest
- Betty Monkman, Former White House Curator, and William Kloss, Art Historian
- Date
- 2/23/17
- Duration
- 34 minutes
Portrait artists have captured the image and personality of our presidents throughout history, providing a record of their time in office and highlighting their accomplishments and leadership. It wasn’t always tradition to commission a portrait for the president, as it is today. Each one comes with a unique story, from the symbolism in the portrait to the artist who painted it. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Former White House Curator Betty Monkman and Art Historian William Kloss to learn more about the history of these portraits, how the White House began to collect them, and the stories they tell.
Browse the Presidential Portraits and First Lady Portraits.
Episodes
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Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency
Featuring Mark K. Updegrove, author and President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation
-
The Next Generation: What the White House Means to Me
Featuring Next-Gen Leaders: Emily Bedard, Genevieve Bellaire, Royce Dickerson, Giacomo Ferragamo, Lindsay Moynihan, Dean Vu, Sean Sandrock, Tyler Burkhardt
-
The White House Recording Library: The Forgotten Collection
Featuring John Chuldenko, writer, director, and grandson of President Jimmy Carter
-
Abraham Lincoln, Robert Burns, and the Scottish Connection
Featuring Professor Murray Pittock, Burns historian and professor of literature at the University of Glasgow; Mr. Ian Houston, President of the Scottish Business Network Americas
-
The History and Making of the Official White House Christmas Ornaments
Featuring Richard Rovsek, Board Trustee at Spirit of Liberty Foundation; Dave Marquis, President of ChemArt, Kim Fyfe, Graphics Manager at ChemArt
-
Voices from a Night at the Met
Featuring First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, David M Rubenstein, Al Roker, Fred Ryan, NYU Steinhardt School Chamber Orchestra
President of the White House Historical Association
As President of the White House Historical Association Stewart McLaurin leads the nonpartisan, nonprofit in its mission to preserve, protect, and provide access to White House history. As a lifelong student of history, Stewart is an avid reader and storyteller. His first book, White House Miscellany was published this past year and he authors a quarterly column in the White House History Journal. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House.