The article presents a curated selection of presidential portraits from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's permanent exhibition "America's Presidents," spanning the last century from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama. It highlights the evolution of the form, from traditional depictions of Harding and Hoover to Norman Rockwell's beaming Nixon, Elaine de Kooning's artful Kennedy, and culminating in Kehinde Wiley's vibrant, almost-surrealist 2018 portrait of Barack Obama, which generated significant public excitement.
This piece matters because it contextualizes the historic unveiling of Barack Obama's official portrait within the long tradition of presidential portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery. By showcasing the stylistic shifts over 100 years—from drab daubings to contemporary artistic visions—it underscores how presidential portraits reflect changing artistic trends and cultural values, while also serving as a key part of the museum's mission to tell the American story through individuals who have shaped the country.