THE Top Ten Presidential portraits

Ten
Jimmy Carter




This is not the official White House Portrait for the Carter Presidency. But, it is in my opinion vastly superior. It is not only a great and detailed study of the Oval office, and in 1970s design. It has so many truly  revealing elements of  the Carter Presidency and candidacy (aka the Truman bust and the glass donkey)

nine Kennedy

 

When this was first hung in the white house, some critics thought of it as a "cop out". That Shikler was uncomfortable with drawing the face of a dead figure. For me, when i first saw this as a Child it had a lingering impact on me. He is clearly a thoughtful and mindful man in this painting, surrounded by the void in the background. Even from the age of five I got the sense that something tragic happened to this man and it is a perfect likeness of the fallen President.
Posthumous official presidential portrait of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Aaron Shikler - The White House Historical Association



Nine  Franklin Delano Roosevelt
I'm not really a fan of the more well known portrait of Roosevelt, the study of his hands. This official portrait is more of a romantic image of the wheelchair bound President. His figure is slightly elevated, in what i always thought was a slight reference to his disability as the man was trying to adjust himself, and he is surrounded not by an American flag but the Presidential flag. His profile is shaded and dramatic looking with a desk, chair, and wallpaper that like the man and his suit seem to perfectly fit the time.
Official Presidential portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Eight Harding



I've always loved this image, and the small bit of red in the background trees, with the Capitol in the distance. Harding's deep eyes look tired and sad in this striking image, and his overall appearence is highly Presidential. Its a thoughtful image for a man not always regarded as wise or clever.
Official Presidential Portrait of Warren G. Harding

seven Clinton



I don't think any other President has been made to suffer from so many terrible portraits then Bill Clinton. I mean look at this one from the Yale Club of New York -



God lord, thats painful
But, I always liked the slick look of his official white house portrait and that his eyes are painted so that no matter what angle you are looking at you are always making eye contact with him.

speaking of terrible portraits



and



BAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Six Arthur



What can I say I'm a sucker for the carpet and the surrounding details
Official Presidential portrait of Chester Alan Arthur

Five Pierce


Four McKinley


Signing of the Peace Protocol Between Spain and the United States, August 12, 1898, (1899), by Theobald Chartran (White House Historical Association)
Not an official portrait but this is just one of my favorite painting ever. The details are incredible, the images from outside the window including the white house columns make you feel like your in that moment in time. The President towering over everyone as he looks at the signing of the treaty, its just a powerful image

Three Garfield


Two Lincoln


One Teddy