Since the time of George Washington, it has been a tradition for U.S. presidents to have an official portrait, typically an oil painting, revealed shortly after their presidency concludes. This was expected for former President Donald Trump, who sat for a portrait by artist Ronald Sherr following his departure from office in 2021. However, there is a new twist: Trump is now requesting a different portrait.
Sherr's artwork was ready for acceptance by the National Portrait Gallery, the institution responsible for housing presidential portraits, in 2022. Yet, by that time, Trump had already declared his intention to run for the presidency again in 2024. The gallery typically waits until a president has officially left office before displaying their portrait, according to reports.
The White House has indicated that Trump desires a portrait that captures the entirety of his presidential experience. "President Trump appreciated the portrait created for his 45th term and looks forward to seeing a new piece that reflects both his 45th and 47th terms," stated White House spokesperson Davis Ingle.
The original portrait by Sherr, completed before the artist's passing in 2022, is said to portray Trump at a rally, with the White House in the background. Sherr's widow, Lois, remarked that the painting "captured Trump's movement, energy, and feeling of absolute resolve."
Sherr was not new to painting presidential figures; he also created portraits of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as notable figures like former Secretary of Defense Colin Powell and former House Speakers John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi.
The National Portrait Gallery has stated that it was not aware of Trump's request for a new portrait.
In the meantime, the official portrait of President Joe Biden, who left office last year, has not yet been unveiled. Biden's recent Democratic predecessors were portrayed by contemporary artists: Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley and Bill Clinton by Chuck Close.