Thread by @WhiteHouseHstry

This painting by Herbert E. Abrams is President George H. W. Bush's official White House portrait. Bush served as president from January 20, 1989, until January 20, 1993. 1/6

There is also another famous painting in the background—George P.A. Healy’s The Peacemakers. Completed in 1868, it depicts Generals William Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant, President Abraham Lincoln, and Rear Admiral David D. Porter onboard the steamer River Queen. 2/6

The meeting took place in March 1865 on the James River near City Point, Virginia, less than a week before the fall of Petersburg. 3/6

During George H. W. Bush’s administration, the painting was located in the Treaty Room on the Second Floor of the White House—which he also used as a private study. 4/6

Perhaps intentionally, Abrams captured Bush’s likeness while obscuring Grant and Lincoln. This ensured that President Bush was the only president featured in his portrait. 5/6

This portrait, along with First Lady Barbara Bush’s portrait, were officially unveiled at the White House on July 17, 1995. 6/6

Learn more about Presidential Portraits in this episode of our podcast, The #1600Sessions: whitehousehistory.org/1600-sessions/…