A portrait of US President Donald Trump that had quietly hung in Colorado’s State Capitol for five years was abruptly taken down on Monday after Trump publicly criticised the painting as “truly the worst,” alleging it had been “purposefully distorted” to make him look bad, The New York Times reported.
The portrait, painted by Sarah Boardman, a relatively unknown artist living in Colorado, was originally commissioned through a national contest and intended to represent Trump in a “serious, nonconfrontational, thoughtful” pose.
Trump slams painting, Colorado responds
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said the portrait, which shows him in a dark suit and red tie with softened features, was so poor he’d “prefer not having a picture than having this one.” He claimed many Coloradans had complained and were “actually angry about it.”
By the next day, the Colorado General Assembly — controlled by Democrats — ordered the painting removed from the rotunda’s Gallery of Presidents. While no formal reason was given, the timing followed directly on the heels of Trump’s criticism.
Artist trained in old master techniques, remains silent
Sarah Boardman, who also painted former President Obama’s Capitol portrait, has not publicly responded since the removal. She previously said her work avoids political bias. “Any personal feelings about any subject are not relevant and are left outside the studio,” she told The Colorado Times Recorder in earlier interviews.
Born in England and trained in Germany under a master painter, Boardman spent over four years studying classical techniques. Her work, largely realist portraits of people and dogs, aims to capture the “personality, character and soul” of her subjects, according to her website.
Presidents and portraits: a history of dislike
Trump joins a small club of presidents who have rejected or disliked their portraits. Theodore Roosevelt famously disliked his first official portrait, calling it weak, and had it replaced. Lyndon Johnson dismissed his as “the ugliest thing I ever saw,” prompting a public rebuke from the artist.
Trump, in contrast, took aim not only at the painting but the artist’s abilities. While calling Boardman’s portrait of Obama “much better,” he said she “had lost her talent as she got older.”
Public reaction divided as artist’s page sees attention spike
Boardman’s professional Facebook page saw a surge in comments from both critics and supporters, many weighing in on the aesthetics of the painting and others criticizing or defending Trump’s remarks.
Governor Jared Polis’s office responded diplomatically, telling local station 9News it was “surprised but appreciative” of the president’s attention. “We are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience,” a spokesperson said, suggesting the controversy might boost tourism to the US Capitol.
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