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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The Decorator-In-Chief
Featuring Michael S. Smith, Interior Designer for the Obama White House
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Saluting Our National History Day Award Winner
Featuring Jack Ghormley, Winner of the 2020 National History Day White House History Award
-
Recipes from the President’s Ranch
Featuring Matthew Wendel, author of “Recipes from the President’s Ranch: Food People Like to Eat”
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Women’s Suffrage and the White House
Featuring Rebecca Roberts, journalist and historian; Colleen Shogan, author and historian, Elaine Weiss, journalist and historian
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White House Fellows
Featuring Elizabeth Pinkerton, Director of the President’s Commission on White House Fellows; Stephanie Ferguson, President of the White House Fellows Alumni Association; Andy Ku, White House Fellows Alumnus
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Our Work and Recent Events: A Q&A with David M. Rubenstein
Featuring David Rubenstein, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Chairman, The Carlyle Group
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.