Presidential and First Lady Portraits

Since 1965, the White House Historical Association has been proud to fund the official portraits of our presidents and first ladies, a long-standing tradition of the White House Collection. Recent presidents and first ladies typically select their respective artists before leaving the White House and approve the portraits before their formal presentation to the public and induction into the collection. The portrait artists aim to capture each unique appearance and personality, piecing together our presidential history through these individual works of art. In this collection, learn more about the making of presidents' and first ladies' portraits throughout White House history, as well as the stories of the artists and groups who commissioned these portraits.