Wall Street Journal article on presidential portraiture

[Michele Rushworth]

Surprising, isn't it, that much of American portraiture often looks to the past, and to artists who came from the European tradition, while a lot of contemporary European portraiture is far more cutting edge and, some would say, "forward looking". I personally love the Sargent/Zorn/deLazlo tradition but you don't usually think of American artists as being outpaced by their European peers in the race toward "the next new thing".

[Cynthia Daniel]

This subject of British portraiture sounds as though it could be a subject worthy of a new topic. Steven would you do this please?

[Michele Rushworth]

I took care of it. The new topic "British portraiture" can be found here: http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...9097#post69097

[Cynthia Daniel]

John Sanden has posted a follow-up to his original commentary on presidential portraiture: http://worldofportraitpainting.com/c...etjournal2.htm

[Sharon Knettell]

What CAN one do when you are faced with yet again another suit.

As I see it Presidential portraiture is suffering on three fronts, lack of interesting costumes, backgrounds and poses.

There are not any choices of exciting attire, a suit and a tie, that's it folks. A charcoal, navy, gray or brown one. The color of the tie IS the ONLY exciting diversion.

Backgrounds: snippets of Georgian architecture, billowing heroic American clouds with an equally energetic flag, White house balconies,the Oval office and so on.

The poses. The president should NEVER look like a slacker, even when he is sitting down he should look like he is ready to leap up or be signing a passel of bills to save the Union. A recent portrait of Bill Clinton was criticised as being too relaxed a portrayal. They can be leaning-but NOT too much (see Bill), hands in pockets are risky (see Bill). The best option is standing-frontal or three-quarter and this goes without sayng-NO reclining poses.

I suggest that to perhaps inject the genre with some excitement, the president should become a fashion leader. Here are some haberdashery ideas from a recent men's fashion show in New York City.

[Sharon Knettell]

On second thought, that might NOT do at all. As a whole the lot is a bit conservative.

Ransacking the past on fine French and English portraiture, I came up with a few ideas for the Current Occupant. I hope the artist who gets this plum job will be inspired by these ideas I offer freely.

#1: Addressing Congress
#2: Supporting the troops
#3: At home on the ranch in Crawford

[Jean Kelly]

Thanks for the best laugh of the day! These are much, much, better.

Jean

[Jeanine Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Daniel

John Sanden has posted a follow-up to his original commentary on presidential portraiture: http://worldofportraitpainting.com/c...etjournal2.htm

I am grateful to the WSJ writer for one reason only: prompting such fabulous commentary from Sanden. Once again, he leads with passion for this great art and knowledge. The final portrait he sights by CSOPA Senior Advisor, Bob Anderson is one of my favorites!

The National Portrait Gallery after the rennovations is definitely a sight worth seeing. I encourage you all to go and add your favorites to this list.

Thank you, Cynthia for alerting us to this thread. I have laughed out loud reading these replies!

[Chris Kolupski]

John Sandon, you have my respect. Your reply to WSJ articulated my thoughts better than I could have. Nobody could have replied with a better mix of restraint and clarity. Thank you.

Sharon, I haven

[Mischa Milosevic]

The Wall Street Journal and other such rag will print what they will. Will it generate interest and what will be the response? Each has the right to chose.

My respect and hat of to our advocate John Howard Sanden. It is my belief that the response made by Mr Sanden and others of his stature is quite adequate. Wisdom rests in the heart of him/her who has understanding, but what is in the heart of the one who has not understanding is plain to see. Mr Sanden speaks with wisdom and being that this is plain to see I shall not do or say anything that will diminish his words. All I can say is, thank you Mr Sanden. Thank you weary much!

Cynthia, thank you for starting this thread we truly appreciate your time and dedication.