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
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 7⁄8 x 32 7⁄8 in. (78.4 x 83.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.78.1

Artwork Details

Title
President and Mrs. Eisenhower
Artist
Date
May 12, 1955
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
30 7⁄8 x 32 7⁄8 in. (78.4 x 83.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas and embossed paper with fabric and paper collage and plastic pearls
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — political — first lady
  • Architecture Exterior — religious — church
  • Object — other — flag
  • Religion — New Testament — Good Shepherd
  • Portrait female — Eisenhower, Mamie — bust
  • Portrait male — Eisenhower, Dwight David — bust
  • Occupation — political — president
Object Number
1989.78.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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.

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
Rockne Krebs, Sun Dog, screenprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald A. Brown, 1978.168.12
Sun Dog
Artist
screenprint
Not on view
Rockne Krebs, Maquette for White Tornado, 1978, mixed media: acrylic on wood and metal wire, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.49.8
Maquette for White Tornado
Artist
Date1978
mixed media: acrylic on wood and metal wire
Not on view
Rockne Krebs, Pattern of 15 Basswood Trees, 1970 and 1973, pen and ink on paper mounted on pencil and pastel on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.2
Pattern of 15 Basswood Trees
Artist
Date1970 and 1973
pen and ink on paper mounted on pencil and pastel on paper
Not on view
Rockne Krebs, Clouds Going South for the Winter, 1973, pencil and pastel on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.1
Clouds Going South for the Winter
Artist
Date1973
pencil and pastel on paper
Not on view

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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled, ca. 1945-1950, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lewis and Jean Greenblatt, 2002.86.7
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Dateca. 1945-1950
gelatin silver print
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