
Presented by the White House Historical Association
Presidential Portraits
- Host
- Stewart McLaurin
- Guest
- Betty Monkman, Former White House Curator, and William Kloss, Art Historian
- Date
- 2/23/17
- Duration
- 34 minutes
Portrait artists have captured the image and personality of our presidents throughout history, providing a record of their time in office and highlighting their accomplishments and leadership. It wasn’t always tradition to commission a portrait for the president, as it is today. Each one comes with a unique story, from the symbolism in the portrait to the artist who painted it. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Former White House Curator Betty Monkman and Art Historian William Kloss to learn more about the history of these portraits, how the White House began to collect them, and the stories they tell.
Browse the Presidential Portraits and First Lady Portraits.
Episodes
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The Kennedy Center: A Living Memorial
Featuring Deborah Rutter, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
-
British Invasion to French Restoration
Featuring Edward Lengel, White House Historical Association Chief Historian, and Matthew Costello, White House Historical Association Senior Historian
-
The Sweet World of White House Desserts
Featuring Chef Roland Mesnier, former White House Pastry Chef
-
Entertaining at the White House
Featuring Historian and Author Jennifer Pickens
-
The President's Helicopter
Featuring Former HMX-1 pilots Colonel Steve Taylor and Colonel Kevin Wild, and Sikorsky President Dan Schultz
-
George Washington’s Legacy
Featuring Dr. Matthew Costello, Assistant Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, White House Historian

President of the White House Historical Association
As President of the White House Historical Association Stewart McLaurin leads the nonpartisan, nonprofit in its mission to preserve, protect, and provide access to White House history. As a lifelong student of history, Stewart is an avid reader and storyteller. His first book, White House Miscellany was published this past year and he authors a quarterly column in the White House History Journal. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House.