Trump Calls for Removal of His Portrait from Colorado Capitol, Claims It’s Unjust

President Donald Trump recently asked for his portrait in the Colorado State Capitol to be removed. He claims he has received complaints that the painting is “purposefully distorted.” Following his comments, a surge of visitors came to take photos with the portrait.

Created during Trump’s first term, the portrait was unveiled in 2019, after Colorado Republicans raised over $10,000 to commission it. The artist, Sarah Boardman, also painted the Capitol’s portrait of former President Barack Obama.

During a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed a preference for no picture over the one hanging in Colorado. He stated, “Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves,” and described the artwork as distorted “to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before.”

Interestingly, the portraits are not managed by the governor’s office but rather by the Colorado Building Advisory Committee.

Visitors to the Capitol offered mixed reviews. Aaron Howe, visiting from Wyoming, noted the portrait made Trump look “a little chubby” but admitted it was still “better than I could do.” He also mentioned, “I don’t know anything about the artist” but acknowledged people might interpret it differently.

Kaylee Williamson, an 18-year-old Trump supporter from Arkansas, also weighed in. She felt the portrait looked like him and found it “smoother than all the other ones.”

In contrast, Boardman has previously emphasized her goal to make both her Obama and Trump portraits appear apolitical. It’s worth noting that public interest in political art varies greatly. In a 2020 survey by the American Alliance of Museums, 65% of respondents mentioned that exhibition themes focused on contemporary political issues engaged them more deeply.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s spokesperson, Shelby Wieman, said she was surprised that Trump showed interest in the artwork. Wieman added, “We appreciate the President and everyone’s interest in our Capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience.”

As this story unfolds, it brings into focus the complicated intersection of art, politics, and public perception in today’s society. The dynamics are not just about individual opinions but also reflect broader trends regarding how public figures are represented in art.



Source link

The Associated Press