• Barack Obama
    Robert McCurdy
    official portrait
    This official portrait of President Barack Obama was painted by Robert McCurdy in 2018. Prior to his election to the presidency, Obama served as a United States senator from Illinois. On January 20, 2009, he became the first African American president and served two terms from 2009 to 2017. Both portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on September 7, 2022.
  • Michelle Obama
    Sharon Sprung
    official portrait
    This official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama was painted by Sharon Sprung in 2018. A Chicago native, Obama earned degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Her husband, Barack Obama, served as president from January 20, 2009 until January 20, 2017. As first lady, Michelle Obama pursued initiatives focused on childhood obesity and healthy eating, support for service members and their families, and opportunity in education. Both portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on September 7, 2022.
  • Theodore Roosevelt
    Tadé Styka
    portrait
    This painting of Theodore Roosevelt was painted by Polish artist Tadé Styka circa 1909. Styka depicts Roosevelt during his time with the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit that Roosevelt led during the Spanish-American War. The painting later hung in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. A former governor of New York, Roosevelt became president upon the assassination of William McKinley, on September 14, 1901 and served until March 4, 1909. This painting was acquired for the White House Collection by the White House Historical Association in 1974.
  • Theodore Roosevelt
    Tadé Styka
    portrait
    This painting of Theodore Roosevelt was painted by Polish artist Tadé Styka circa 1909. Styka depicts Roosevelt during his time with the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit that Roosevelt led during the Spanish-American War. The painting later hung in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. A former governor of New York, Roosevelt became president upon the assassination of William McKinley, on September 14, 1901 and served until March 4, 1909. This painting was acquired for the White House Collection by the White House Historical Association in 1974.
  • Lucinda Desha Robb's Handprints
    Suz Redfearn
    First Family
    This photograph of the concrete block with the imprint of Lucinda Desha Robb's handprints was originally in the Children's Garden on the White House South Grounds. Robb was the daughter of Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. The garden was created by President and Mrs. Johnson in 1968. Since then, several children and grandchildren of presidents and first ladies have added to the collection of imprints.
  • Lucinda Desha Robb's Handprints
    Suz Redfearn
    First Family
    This photograph of the concrete block with the imprint of Lucinda Desha Robb's handprints was originally in the Children's Garden on the White House South Grounds. Robb was the daughter of Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. The garden was created by President and Mrs. Johnson in 1968. Since then, several children and grandchildren of presidents and first ladies have added to the collection of imprints.
  • Andrew Jackson
    Samuel M. Charles
    portrait
    This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Andrew Jackson
    Samuel M. Charles
    portrait
    This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Andrew Jackson
    Samuel M. Charles
    portrait
    This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
    Douglas Chandor
    portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was painted by Douglas Chandor. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, was president from March 4, 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945, a span of time that included the Great Depression and the entirety of World War II. Mrs. Roosevelt advocated for many causes during her years in the White House, holding press conferences, traveling extensively, and writing a syndicated newspaper column. Following her time as first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and was the first chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. There, she co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1949, Mrs. Roosevelt first sat for her portrait in Chandor's New York studio. The White House Historical Association purchased the portrait for the White House Collection. On February 4, 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the White House for the presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt's official portrait. Joseph J. Scherschel photographed the portrait in August 1965 at the time of its acquisition into the White House Collection.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
    Douglas Chandor
    portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was painted by Douglas Chandor. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, was president from March 4, 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945, a span of time that included the Great Depression and the entirety of World War II. Mrs. Roosevelt advocated for many causes during her years in the White House, holding press conferences, traveling extensively, and writing a syndicated newspaper column. Following her time as first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and was the first chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. There, she co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1949, Mrs. Roosevelt first sat for her portrait in Chandor's New York studio. The White House Historical Association purchased the portrait for the White House Collection. On February 4, 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the White House for the presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt's official portrait. Joseph J. Scherschel photographed the portrait in August 1965 at the time of its acquisition into the White House Collection.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
    Douglas Chandor
    portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was painted by Douglas Chandor. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, was president from March 4, 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945, a span of time that included the Great Depression and the entirety of World War II. Mrs. Roosevelt advocated for many causes during her years in the White House, holding press conferences, traveling extensively, and writing a syndicated newspaper column. Following her time as first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and was the first chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. There, she co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1949, Mrs. Roosevelt first sat for her portrait in Chandor's New York studio. The White House Historical Association purchased the portrait for the White House Collection. On February 4, 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the White House for the presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt's official portrait. Joseph J. Scherschel photographed the portrait in August 1965 at the time of its acquisition into the White House Collection.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
    Douglas Chandor
    portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was painted by Douglas Chandor. Her husband, Franklin Roosevelt, was president from March 4, 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945, a span of time that included the Great Depression and the entirety of World War II. Mrs. Roosevelt advocated for many causes during her years in the White House, holding press conferences, traveling extensively, and writing a syndicated newspaper column. Following her time as first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and was the first chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. There, she co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1949, Mrs. Roosevelt first sat for her portrait in Chandor's New York studio. The White House Historical Association purchased the portrait for the White House Collection. On February 4, 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the White House for the presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt's official portrait. Joseph J. Scherschel photographed the portrait in August 1965 at the time of its acquisition into the White House Collection.
  • George Washington
    Giuseppe Ceracchi
    busts
    likeness
    sculpture
    This marble bust of President George Washington is by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi. Ceracchi sculpted many notable Americans, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. This bust was modeled circa 1790-1794 and was carved circa 1815. The United States government acquired the bust along with busts of Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus during the James Monroe administration in 1817. Washington served as the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. Bates Littlehales photographed the bust in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • George Washington
    Giuseppe Ceracchi
    busts
    likeness
    sculpture
    This marble bust of President George Washington is by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi. Ceracchi sculpted many notable Americans, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. This bust was modeled circa 1790-1794 and was carved circa 1815. The United States government acquired the bust along with busts of Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus during the James Monroe administration in 1817. Washington served as the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. Bates Littlehales photographed the bust in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Lady Bird Johnson
    Elizabeth Shoumatoff
    official portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson was painted by Elizabeth Shoumatoff. Mrs. Johnson graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in journalism. During her life prior to the White House, her business acumen meant she became the first First Lady to be a millionaire in her own right. As First Lady, she spearheaded beautification projects spanning cities and highways and initiated several firsts for her office. She was the first to have a press secretary and chief of staff, as well as the first to do a solo tour to campaign for major policy issues, such as the Civil Rights Act. Her husband, Lyndon Johnson, served as president from November 22, 1963 until January 20, 1969.
  • Mary Arthur McElroy
    John Sartain
    portrait
    First Family
    This is a steel engraving of Mary Arthur McElroy, sister of President Chester A. Arthur, created by John Sartain. Sartain was one of the prominent engravers of the 19th century. McElroy filled some of the roles of First Lady during Arthur's presidency from 1881 to 1885. Arthur did not remarry after the death of his wife Ellen Herndon Arthur in 1880. McElroy was President Arthur's sister and had a family of her own. Due to this she only spent time in Washington D.C. during the winter social season.
  • Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison
    Cornelia Stuart Cassady
    portraits
    This is a portrait of First Lady Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison, dressed in mourning. The portrait is a miniature created by Cornelia Stuart Cassady after a painting by an unknown artist, ca. 1820. Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison was married to President William Henry Harrison and was the grandmother of President Benjamin Harrison. First Lady Harrison was 65 years old when her husband was elected president making her the oldest woman to become First Lady. When President Harrison was inaugurated in March of 1841, Mrs. Harrison remained in Ohio due to poor health. She had temporarily placed her widowed daughter-in-law Jane Irwin Harrison in charge of being the hostess. Mrs. Harrison did not recover in time to reside in the White House before President Harrison passed away a month after his inauguration.
  • A "Powwow" at the White House
    Harper's Weekly
    delegations
    East Room
    State Floor
    engravings
    American Indians
    This wood engraving appeared in "Harper's Weekly" and is entitled "A 'Powwow' at the White House." The engraving shows President Hayes meeting with Native Americans in the East Room of the White House. Hayes hosted several Native American delegations during his time in office.
  • Lou Henry Hoover
    Richard Marsden Brown
    official portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover was painted by Richard Marsden Brown. Highly educated, Mrs. Hoover graduated Stanford University with a degree in geology. She was at the time the only woman in Stanford's geology program. Mrs. Hoover was active with the Girl Scouts of America, serving as the national president from 1922-1925 and 1935-1937. Her husband was president from March 4, 1929 until March 4, 1933. Bates Littlehales photographed the framed portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt
    Théobald Chartran
    portrait
    This portrait of First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was painted in 1902 by Théobald Chartran, a French artist who became one of the most fashionable portraitists of the early 20th century. Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt who served in office from September 14, 1901 until March 4, 1909, poses in the colonial garden, known today as the Rose Garden, which she established near the White House's new West Wing. Chartran repositioned the South Portico so it would appear in the portrait for aesthetic effect. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait and its frame in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Lou Henry Hoover
    Richard Marsden Brown
    official portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover was painted by Richard Marsden Brown. Highly educated, Mrs. Hoover graduated Stanford University with a degree in geology. She was at the time the only woman in Stanford's geology program. Mrs. Hoover was active with the Girl Scouts of America, serving as the national president from 1922-1925 and 1935-1937. Her husband was president from March 4, 1929 until March 4, 1933. Bates Littlehales photographed the framed portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt
    Théobald Chartran
    portrait
    This portrait of First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was painted in 1902 by Théobald Chartran, a French artist who became one of the most fashionable portraitists of the early 20th century. Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt who served in office from September 14, 1901 until March 4, 1909, poses in the colonial garden, known today as the Rose Garden, which she established near the White House's new West Wing. Chartran repositioned the South Portico so it would appear in the portrait for aesthetic effect. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait and its frame in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Lou Henry Hoover
    Richard Marsden Brown
    official portrait
    This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover was painted by Richard Marsden Brown. Highly educated, Mrs. Hoover graduated Stanford University with a degree in geology. She was at the time the only woman in Stanford's geology program. Mrs. Hoover was active with the Girl Scouts of America, serving as the national president from 1922-1925 and 1935-1937. Her husband was president from March 4, 1929 until March 4, 1933. Bates Littlehales photographed the framed portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
  • Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt
    Théobald Chartran
    portrait
    This portrait of First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was painted in 1902 by Théobald Chartran, a French artist who became one of the most fashionable portraitists of the early 20th century. Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt who served in office from September 14, 1901 until March 4, 1909, poses in the colonial garden, known today as the Rose Garden, which she established near the White House's new West Wing. Chartran repositioned the South Portico so it would appear in the portrait for aesthetic effect. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait and its frame in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.