Art News. Vasari Codex

article policy schedule Jan 12, 2026 visibility 16 link 3 artists

smithsonian drops wall text mentioning trumps double impeachment

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has removed wall text referencing President Trump’s two impeachments from its “America’s Presidents” exhibition after installing a new black-and-white portrait of him by White House photographer Daniel Torok. The original label noted Trump’s impeachments for abuse of power and inciting insurrection, but the revised text now identifies him only as the 45th and 47th president and his birth year. The change follows years of contention from the Trump administration, which compiled a list of complaints accusing former director Kim Sajet of political bias; Sajet resigned, and Elliot Gruber now serves as acting director.

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article news schedule Apr 29, 2025 visibility 12 link 3 artists

portrait that putin gifted to trump last month finally revealed

Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted U.S. President Donald Trump a portrait depicting Trump with a raised fist and blood streaming from his right ear, referencing the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last July. The painting was delivered to the White House by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy for Ukraine and the Middle East, after a meeting in Moscow. Russian artist Nikas Safronov, who has previously painted Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Pope Francis, created the work. CNN provided an exclusive look at the portrait, which Safronov said was intended to show Trump's bravery and potentially bring the two countries together.

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article policy schedule Jun 5, 2025 visibility 18

national portrait gallery director report work trump firing

Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., continued coming to work despite Donald Trump claiming on Truth Social that he had fired her for being a 'strong supporter of DEI.' The White House provided the Washington Post with a 17-point list of grievances against Sajet, including her exhibition of a Trump portrait caption referencing his impeachments and January 6 insurrection, her donations to Democratic causes, and her comments about diversifying the museum. The Smithsonian Institution has not yet responded, and legal experts note Trump lacks authority to fire Sajet, as he does not sit on the Smithsonian board, though Vice President J.D. Vance and the Chief Justice hold ex officio positions.

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article policy schedule Feb 16, 2026 visibility 15 link 6 artists

White House presses Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery for new Trump portrait and display

The White House has suggested that the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery create a dedicated section to display multiple images of President Donald Trump, including a new painted portrait, during his current term. This proposal came during a December visit by State Department and White House officials, who noted the president receives much artwork from supporters that could be curated for display.

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article news schedule Apr 28, 2025 visibility 14 link 3 artists

Russian artist reveals portrait Putin commissioned him to make as gift for Trump

Russian artist Nikas Safronov revealed a portrait of Donald Trump commissioned by Vladimir Putin as a gift for the U.S. president. The painting depicts Trump after the July 2024 assassination attempt, with blood on his face and fist raised, against a U.S. flag and Statue of Liberty backdrop. Safronov confirmed Putin personally conveyed the importance of the order, and the portrait was delivered via Trump envoy Steven Witkoff. The Kremlin pool journalists posted the image, and Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the gift.

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article policy schedule Jan 13, 2026 visibility 21 link 5 artists

Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery removes wall text mentioning Trump’s impeachments

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, has removed wall text accompanying a portrait of Donald Trump that mentioned his two impeachments. The text, part of the America's Presidents exhibition, listed Trump's achievements and noted he was impeached for abuse of power and incitement of insurrection, then acquitted by the Senate. The portrait by Matt McClain was replaced with a black-and-white photo by Daniel Torok, with a simplified label stating only Trump's birth year and status as the 45th and 47th president. The museum says it is beginning a planned update of the gallery, which will close from April 6 to May 14.

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