The Colorado state Capitol has introduced a new portrait of President Donald Trump following disputes over the original artwork.
According to Fox News, A replacement portrait by Vanessa Horabuena was unveiled last week after the previous painting drew criticism, including from Trump himself.
The initial portrait, crafted by Sarah Boardman from Colorado Springs, was displayed since 2019 and faced considerable backlash. Critics included Donald Trump, who described it as "purposely distorted." Despite Trump’s claims, Boardman has repeatedly denied any intentional distortion in her work.
Vanessa Horabuena, an Arizona-based artist, created the newly installed artwork to follow the aesthetics of Trump’s official presidential photo. Local Republican leaders unanimously requested the change, and Colorado Democrats controlling the process agreed to it. The transition highlights the shift in representation, contrasting Boardman's approach with Horabuena's more traditional portrayal. Vanessa Horabuena, known for reflecting deep religious themes in her work, has previously depicted figures like Abraham Lincoln and Jesus Christ.
After officials removed Sarah Boardman’s portrait in April, the White House donated a new piece to take its place. The decision aimed to address the ongoing discontent surrounding the Capitol’s presidential portraits.
Commenting on the situation, former President Trump voiced his appreciation for the new portrait via his platform, Truth Social. He expressed dissatisfaction towards the former artwork, underlining a stark difference in quality compared to other presidential portraits.
Donald Trump highlighted the disparity by stating, "Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before."
According to Lois Court from the Colorado Capitol Building Advisory Committee, installing Horabuena’s portrait aligned with logistical and aesthetic needs. The committee itself confirmed the temporary exhibition of this new portrait while planning for further deliberations on the entire collection.
Colorado’s bipartisan decision to replace the contested portrait underscores the delicate balance between artistic freedom and political representation within public spaces.
Sarah Boardman, when asked about the new painting replacing her work, chose not to comment.
On the other hand, members of the community echoed Trump’s positive remarks about Horabuena’s work, marking a reconciliatory gesture toward how artists represent his presidency. He complemented the replacement, saying, "Thank you to the Highly Talented Artist, Vanessa Horabuena, and the incredible people of Colorado."
The installation of the new portrait not only resolves the immediate controversy but also encourages future evaluations of how officials select and display presidential portraits in the state Capitol. The Colorado Capitol Building Advisory Committee plans to examine this further in their upcoming meetings.
In summary, the resolution of this artistic dispute through the installation of Vanessa Horabuena's portrait appeased the prominent criticisms, rejuvenated the presidential gallery, and set the stage for future discussions on presidential representations in Colorado's state Capitol.
