Trump portrait from Colorado capitol removed-art or criticism?

Trump portrait from Colorado capitol removed-art or criticism?

Colorado Capitol, Colorado, USA - On March 26, 2025, Donald Trump's portrait from the Presidential Gallery in the Capitol of Colorado was removed. This decision was made after Trump's public criticism, who described the picture as intentionally disadvantageous. On his "Truth Social" platform, he criticized the artist Sarah Boardman, who had painted the portrait. The picture has been exhibited in the Capitol since 2019 and was now next to the portraits of its predecessors.

After removing the picture, only a sign with the inscription "Donald Trump - 45th and 47th President" and empty picture hook remains on the wall. While a new portrait is promised, both the financing and the exact time of the list are still unclear. Paul Lunden, the Republican minority leader in the Senate of Colorado, had demanded the distance, and a spokesman for the Republican stated that there is currently no information about the artist or the financing of the new portrait.

reactions and effects

The Democratic Party was cautiously removed and explained that it did not want to finance a new portrait. Sarah Boardman, the artist of the distant picture, did not comment directly on the allegations, but emphasized in an earlier interview that her work was not a political statement. A spokesman for the Colorado Senate Republicans, Joshua Bly, underlined the uncertainty regarding the drawing up of a new portrait as well as questions about financing and awarding order.

on Tuesday morning, after Trump's critical statements were published on social media on Sunday evening, the portrait was removed and brought to the History Colorado camp. Colorado's legislative, which is currently employed with urgent matters such as the state budget, will decide when and how the new portrait will be set up. It also remains significantly unclear whether Trump will approve the new portrait after he has emphasized in the past that it was "deliberately distorted" by the previous image.

art historical perspective

Bredekamp illuminates how the image composition with its pyramidally constructed structure conveys symbolic elements of triumph and protection. He also draws parallels to historical works of art, which gives the picture of Trump an additional dimension. The picture could reinforce Trump's aura from inviolability and arouses the discussion about his perception by the public and his supporters. The effect of the image is also evident in social media, whereby it is described as a “double true picture”, which is documented both authentically and by television recordings.

In summary, the removal of Trump's portrait in Colorado Capitol not only underlines the political tensions, but also the role of art in his public image in an increasingly polarized political climate.

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OrtColorado Capitol, Colorado, USA
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