Hail to the Chief

Today, the 43rd president of the United States will be inaugurated according to the terms set out in the U.S. Constitution's 20th Amendment.

In honor of this solemn occasion, we salute outgoing president William Jefferson Clinton by featuring his beaded portrait from our current exhibition Star-Spangled Presidents: Portraits by Liza Lou, on view at the Renwick Gallery until February 19, 2001.

In this installation, artist Liza Lou uses beads to create a likeness of each of the forty-two U.S. presidents that resembles historic black and white photographs.

Each portrait is bordered with a wide band of gold beads, creating the illusion of a gilded frame. The portraits are installed in a setting of ceremonial objects that suggest the trappings of the office, including a draped American flag, a flickering chandelier,and a fancy table that are all made of beads as well.

Appropriately enough, the Renwick Gallery is located at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., across from the White House.

Pictured: Liza Lou, William Jefferson Clinton, from the series "American Presidents," 1996, glass beads on wood, 14 1/4 x 17 in. Lent by the artist.