In an unusual exchange of art, former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized a portrait of himself that previously hung in the Colorado State Capitol, calling it “truly the worst.” At the same time, he has received a new painting as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described as a “personal gift,” suggesting that further details will be limited until Putin decides to disclose them.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, confirmed receipt of the new “beautiful portrait” from a renowned Russian artist and is tasked with bringing it back to Washington. Trump’s ongoing focus on his public image is evident, especially after making headlines earlier this year with his own official portrait.
While the portrait from Colorado was removed following backlash, Trump took to Truth Social to express his disdain, claiming it was “purposefully distorted” compared to a more favorable depiction of former President Barack Obama, also created by the same artist, Sarah Boardman.
This criticism comes as U.S. and Russian negotiators engage in discussions in Saudi Arabia, during which the new portrait serves as a symbol of the slowly warming relations between the two countries since Trump’s return to prominence. Witkoff shared that Putin had even expressed concern for Trump’s wellbeing following an assassination attempt last year.
Reflecting on his own experience, Trump mentioned having lost a notable amount of weight during the 2020 campaign due to his busy schedule. Meanwhile, the decision to remove the old painting stemmed from a campaign that saw the portrait commissioned to fill a gap left by an accidental display of Putin’s image. Following the removal, a bipartisan committee was involved, ensuring the painting's relocation until further decisions are made about its fate.
The shift in sentiment surrounding presidential portraits showcases the blending of politics and personal perceptions, reinforcing the notion that public opinion greatly influences the legacy of any artwork created.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, confirmed receipt of the new “beautiful portrait” from a renowned Russian artist and is tasked with bringing it back to Washington. Trump’s ongoing focus on his public image is evident, especially after making headlines earlier this year with his own official portrait.
While the portrait from Colorado was removed following backlash, Trump took to Truth Social to express his disdain, claiming it was “purposefully distorted” compared to a more favorable depiction of former President Barack Obama, also created by the same artist, Sarah Boardman.
This criticism comes as U.S. and Russian negotiators engage in discussions in Saudi Arabia, during which the new portrait serves as a symbol of the slowly warming relations between the two countries since Trump’s return to prominence. Witkoff shared that Putin had even expressed concern for Trump’s wellbeing following an assassination attempt last year.
Reflecting on his own experience, Trump mentioned having lost a notable amount of weight during the 2020 campaign due to his busy schedule. Meanwhile, the decision to remove the old painting stemmed from a campaign that saw the portrait commissioned to fill a gap left by an accidental display of Putin’s image. Following the removal, a bipartisan committee was involved, ensuring the painting's relocation until further decisions are made about its fate.
The shift in sentiment surrounding presidential portraits showcases the blending of politics and personal perceptions, reinforcing the notion that public opinion greatly influences the legacy of any artwork created.
