President and Mrs. Eisenhower

W. G. Williams, President and Mrs. Eisenhower, May 12, 1955, oil on canvas and embossed paper with fabric and paper collage and plastic pearls, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.78.1
Copied W. G. Williams, President and Mrs. Eisenhower, May 12, 1955, oil on canvas and embossed paper with fabric and paper collage and plastic pearls, 30 7832 78 in. (78.483.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.78.1

Artwork Details

Title
President and Mrs. Eisenhower
Date
May 12, 1955
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
30 7832 78 in. (78.483.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums Description
oil on canvas and embossed paper with fabric and paper collage and plastic pearls
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Portrait male — Eisenhower, Dwight David — bust
  • Portrait female — Eisenhower, Mamie — bust
  • Religion — New Testament — Good Shepherd
  • Object — other — flag
  • Architecture Exterior — religious — church
  • Occupation — political — first lady
Object Number
1989.78.1

Artwork Description

W. G. Williams created this painting two years after Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953. The artist based the features and clothing on news photos and included details such as Mamie Eisenhower’s famous pearls and hat (Lynda Hartigan, Made with Passion, 1990). He surrounded the figures with images from scripture, perhaps hoping that America’s leaders would look to the Bible for guidance.