Trump's latest portrait, gifted by the White House, now adorns the Colorado Capitol. Earlier portraits had elicited Trump's disapproval.
A new portrait of former President Donald Trump now hangs in the Colorado Capitol, replacing a previous one that was removed following months of controversy and criticism from the former president himself. The new painting, donated by the White House, was created by Arizona artist Vanessa Horabuena, a self-proclaimed "Christian worship artist" known for her depictions of historical figures.
The previous portrait, painted by Colorado artist Sarah Boardman, was taken down after Trump criticized it as "purposely distorted" and "truly the worst." The Boardman painting showed a much younger Trump, contrasting with the more formal and intense official imagery Trump preferred.
The new portrait closely mirrors Trump's official presidential photo, a sterner and crisper image compared to the previous one. Trump publicly thanked Horabuena and the people of Colorado for the new artwork, expressing his approval of the replacement.
However, the episode has sparked broader discussions about the appropriateness of presidential portraits in the state Capitol. Some officials have suggested replacing presidential portraits with those of Colorado's governors to better celebrate the state's history, especially with the upcoming sesquicentennial anniversary next year.
The new portrait's display is currently temporary, pending ongoing discussions about Capitol art policy. The advisory committee is considering various options, including replacing the portraits of past presidents with portraits of past governors.
Vanessa Horabuena, the artist behind the new portrait, did not return a phone message seeking comment on Tuesday. The installation took place on a Tuesday when the statehouse was quiet.
The removal of Sarah Boardman's portrait was announced by lawmakers after her complaints. Lois Court, a former state lawmaker, made the decision to put up the new portrait.
Despite the controversy, Trump posted a message on his social media platform, Truth Social, thanking Horabuena for the new portrait. Sarah Boardman, however, denied the criticisms made by Trump, stating that her intention was to capture Trump's essence at a certain point in his life, not to distort his image.
A smattering of tourists took photos of the new portrait on the day of its installation, adding a touch of normalcy to the otherwise heated debate. The future of presidential portraits in the Colorado Capitol remains uncertain as the state continues to consider its art policies.
[1] Source: Denver Post [2] Source: Associated Press [3] Source: Truth Social (Donald Trump's social media platform)
Video clips from the installation and reactions of tourists and lawmakers went viral on general-news platforms, igniting discussions about entertainment value and the appropriate portrayal of political figures. The controversy surrounding the replacement of the former president's portrait in the Colorado Capitol also attracted the attention of several celebrities, who voiced their opinions on social media.
