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Official White House Portraits Press Collection

The White House Historical Association has had an active role in acquiring and donating portraits of recent presidents and first ladies since 1965 when the Association sought to acquire a portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt from the widow of artist Douglas Granville Chandor. Since that time, it has been a fundamental goal to acquire historic portraits of presidents and first ladies, “either to represent those not in the collection or to replace earlier likenesses judged less than successful.” Presidents and first ladies typically select their respective artists before leaving the White House. The finished portraits are approved by them before their formal presentation to the public and induction into the White House Collection.

Compiled by the White House Historical Association. Please credit the Association by its full name when using this information.

Please direct your inquiries to press@whha.org

Refer to our Rights and Reproductions Guidelines for image usage information.

Featured

  • Collection

    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

Related

  • Backgrounder

    Official White House Portraits

    The White House Historical Association has had an active role in acquiring and donating portraits of recent presidents and first ladies since 1965. The portraits are formally presented to the public and inducted into the White House Collection.

  • Story

    Saving the Washington Portrait

    Many Washington residents, fearing the rumored British attack, had packed what they could on wagons or set out on foot into the countryside on August 22, 1814. Although the town was in a state of pandemonium, the first lady remained calm and directed the rescue of valuable documents, silver, and the full-length 1797 "Lansdowne portrait" of George Washington by artist Gilbert Stuart. The

  • Article

    Eleanor Roosevelt's White House Portrait Session

    In 1949, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt sat for her portrait in Douglas Chandor’s New York studio. Seventeen years later, The White House Historical Association purchased the portrait for the White House Collection. First Lady Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the February 4, 1966, presentation of the portrait, including friends, family, and former associates of Mrs. Roosevelt. Enjoy the flickr sl

  • Press Release

    Official White House Portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama Presented

    The White House Historical Association today presented the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, painted by Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung, respectively. The portraits and the artists who painted them were introduced during a White House ceremony hosted by President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and attended by President and

  • Podcast

    Obama White House Portraits: The Artists

    Featuring Robert McCurdy, Painted the Official White House Portrait of President Barack Obama; Sharon Sprung, Painted the Official White House Portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama

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