What Traditions or Protocols Govern the Timing of Presidential Portraits?

October 16, 2004 7:46 PM

Are there any special protocols concerning the use of photos/portraits of the POTUS? I'm asking because I'm curious as to why all the Presidents up to Bush I here used a painting while Clinton and W. Bush used photos. Is there a set number of years before a President should get a portrait?
posted by phyrewerx to Law & Government (3 answers total)

I think they just unveiled Clinton's portrait in the past 6mo or so... and I don't think they comission a painted portrait until a currently sitting president is out of office.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:52 PM on October 16, 2004

Well, the Clinton portrait was just unveiled in June 2004. Prehaps the website people are just a little behind on updating the site. For the record it appears that Bush 41 had his unveiling in July 1995, so it wouldn't be the first time that the presidential portrait was unveiled years after their term of service ended.
posted by mmascolino at 8:00 PM on October 16, 2004

I think I remember reading that the portrait of Clinton (along with one of Hillary) that was unveiled recently was the portrait for his library, and that the "official" one for the government was yet to be done.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 9:32 AM on October 17, 2004