Bill Clinton Portrait Shows Monica's Dress: Is This Appropriate?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:01:20 -0500

The painter whose portrait of former President Bill Clinton hangs in the National Portrait Gallery put in there a hint at Monica Lewinsky and the famous blue dress. Is this professional? Should the portrait remain or be changed out? Is this just freedom of speech?

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/02/politics/bill-clinton-monica-lewinsky-portrait/index.html

Clinton portrait includes Lewinsky reference - CNNPolitics.com

The painter whose portrait of former President Bill Clinton hangs in the National Portrait Gallery snuck a covert reference to Monica Lewinsky into it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 9:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:19:19 -0500

Yeah, possibly unprofessional. But, I'd say getting, er, fellated by an intern is probably not the peak of professionalism, either.

I especially like the part in the article where the artist says:

"It actually literally represents a shadow from a blue dress that I had on a mannequin, that I had there while I was painting it, but not when he was there. It is also a bit of a metaphor in that it represents a shadow on the office he held, or on him."

Riiiiight, dude.

Anyway, sucks to be Clinton...

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 2 at 2015 9:22 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:22:13 -0500

It may be unprofessional but unless you know to look there you will not think of it. I commend the artist for taking the liberty of doing that.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 2 at 2015 9:32 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:32:56 -0500

Did Clinton approve the painting before it got hung up? If so, tough shit.

I think this is freedom of speech and hilarious, especially since no one asked about it.