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Evolution of Presidential White House Portraits Over a Century

A review of official White House portraits over the past 100 years, including Donald Trump's new portrait, showcases the changing styles and representations of US presidents.

16 Feb, 14:02 — 16 Feb, 14:02

Coverage (1 source)

Business Insider16 Feb, 14:02

See how presidents' official White House portraits have changed over the last 100 years

Donald Trump's new White House portrait. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok The White House released a new official portrait of President Donald Trump in June. The dramatically lit photo shows Trump against a dark backdrop with a serious expression. Unlike most contemporary presidential portraits, the background doesn't include an American flag. President Donald Trump's official White House portrait does not feature an American flag in the background — it's the first presidential photo in over 60 years without one. Taken by chief White House photographer Daniel Torok, the dramatically lit photo shows Trump against a dark backdrop with a serious expression. The style hearkens back to the past presidential portrait styles of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Calvin Coolidge, who also appeared unsmiling against dark backgrounds. And while there is no flag behind Trump in his new portrait, he is wearing an American flag pin on the lapel of his blue suit, a tradition that began with President George W. Bush's photo. A portrait of Trump released earlier last year, which did feature an American flag, was taken during the presidential transition period and "was always meant to serve as a placeholder," a White House official told Business Insider. The new photo is one of several aesthetic changes Trump has made to the White House in his second non-consecutive term. In the Entrance Hall, he moved President Barack Obama's painted White House portrait across the hall and replaced it with a painting depicting his raised fist following an assassination attempt. He has also added numerous gilded gold furnishings to the Oval Office and paved over the lawn in the Rose Garden to create a terrace he said would be better suited for large events. Take a look at how presidential portraits have changed through the years. President Calvin Coolidge, 1923 A portrait of President Calvin Coolidge. Library of Congress President Herbert Hoover, 1929 A portrait of President Herbert Hoover. Underwood & Underwood President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933 An official portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Elias Goldensky/Library of Congress President Harry Truman, 1945 President Harry Truman's official White House portrait. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images President Dwight Eisenhower, 1953 President Dwight Eisenhower's official White House portrait. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images President John F. Kennedy, 1961 Official White House portrait of President John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963). This iconic image was made at the Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. in January 1960. Bachrach/Getty Images President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963 President Lyndon B. Johnson's official White House portrait. Official White House photo President Richard Nixon, 1969 President Richard Nixon's official White House portrait. Official White House photo President Gerald Ford, 1974 President Gerald Ford's official White House portrait. Official White House photo President Jimmy Carter, 1977 President Jimmy Carter's official White House portrait. Official White House photo by Karl Schumacher President Ronald Reagan, 1981 President Ronald Reagan's official White House portrait. Official White House photo President George H.W. Bush, 1989 President George H.W. Bush's official White House portrait. Official White House photo by David Valdez President Bill Clinton, 1993 President Bill Clinton's official White House portrait. Official White House photo President George W. Bush, 2001 President George W. Bush's official White House portrait. Official White House photo by Eric Draper President Barack Obama, 2009 Barack Obama's official White House portrait. Official White House photo by Pete Souza President Barack Obama, 2013 President Barack Obama's second official White House portrait. Official White House photo by Pete Souza President Donald Trump, 2017 Donald Trump's first White House portrait. Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead President Joe Biden, 2021 The official portrait of President Joe Biden, taken in the Library room at the White House. Official White House photo by Adam Schultz President Donald Trump, 2025 Donald Trump. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok President Donald Trump, 2025 Donald Trump's new White House portrait. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok Read the original article on Business Insider

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