Painting of the Red Room During President Arthur's Administration
Painting by Peter Waddell
"Composition in Red and Gold. A Comfortable Room Rendered Richly, 1883." President Chester A. Arthur, from New York City, was the beau ideal of fashion and, on entering the White House, called on his friend the artist Louis Comfort Tiffany to redecorate the Executive Residence. The most dramatic feature of the Red Room was the ceiling, covered in an intricate design of gold and bronze stars. As a widower, Arthur called on his sister Mary Arthur McElroy to fill the role of official hostess. The "willful little dog" named "Tot," a Scottie, belonged to President Arthur's 12-year-old daughter Nellie.
