International: A portrait of the current President has been installed in a prominent hallway of the White House, replacing the likeness of Barack Obama.
The artwork captures a dramatic moment from a campaign rally last July in Butler, Pennsylvania, depicting the President raising his fist with blood visible on his face, against the backdrop of the American flag.
This imagery reportedly draws inspiration from a photograph taken by a New York Times photographer.
Harrison Fields, Special Assistant to the President and White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, addressed the change via a post on X. Fields clarified that the Obama portrait has been relocated to the Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor.
According to a report in the New York Post, this new location still places the Obama painting in a visible spot, overlooking a Steinway grand piano previously owned by President Franklin D Roosevelt.
Sources indicate the new portrait is now displayed in the Grand Foyer of the East Wing. The painting is the creation of artist Marc Lipp and was a gift to the White House from Andrew Pollack, an author and advocate for school safety. Pollack’s daughter was a victim of the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Since assuming office in January, the current President has reportedly made several modifications to the West Wing’s decor.
These changes include the addition of gold detailing to furniture, fireplaces, and walls in the Oval Office, said to be reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate. Additionally, front pages of The Post newspaper highlighting his political resurgence have been displayed in the West Wing, as per the same report.
The decision to replace the Obama portrait and the nature of the new artwork have generated discussion online. Some social media users have expressed criticism, labeling the move as exhibiting “dictator energy” and questioning the administration’s focus. It is customary for portraits of presidents and first ladies to be installed in the White House after their time in office has concluded.
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