Art is subjective. Most people figure that once a White House portrait is painted, it’s a done deal—locked in a frame and hung on a wall forever. But when it comes to the barbara bush and george h.w. bush portrait, the story is actually a lot more complicated (and way more human) than a simple photo op.
Honestly, it involves a bit of a "do-over."
Why Barbara Bush Hated Her First Official Portrait
Back in 1994, the White House Historical Association commissioned artist Herbert Abrams to paint the official likenesses of the 41st President and the First Lady. Abrams was a heavy hitter. He’d already done Jimmy Carter’s portrait, and he was known for a very traditional, almost regal style.
When the paintings were finally unveiled in the East Room in July 1995, Bill and Hillary Clinton were there to host. Everything looked perfect on the outside. George H.W. Bush’s portrait featured him in a classic pose, standing in front of the famous 1868 painting The Peacemakers. It captured that sense of "New World Order" gravity he was known for.
But Barbara? She wasn't feeling it.
The 2005 Replacement
She reportedly felt the Abrams version didn't quite capture her right. It felt a bit too stiff, maybe a little too "official" for a woman who was famously down-to-earth. She eventually decided she wanted something else to represent her legacy in the White House collection.
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In 2005, she got her wish.
A second official portrait was commissioned from artist Chas Fagan. This is the one you see today when you walk through the White House. It’s vastly different from the first one. For starters, she’s sitting outdoors. You can see the light hitting her white hair, and—this is the best part—the family's English Springer Spaniel, Millie, is right there in the frame with her.
It feels like her. It isn't just a "First Lady" painting; it's a portrait of a woman who loved her dog and preferred the outdoors of Maine to the stuffy halls of D.C.
The George H.W. Bush Portrait: A Study in Bipartisanship
While Barbara was busy swapping hers out, the George H.W. Bush portrait remained a steady fixture. Herbert Abrams really nailed the President’s look. Bush 41 had this specific way of standing—alert but relaxed—that Abrams captured by having him lean slightly against a chair.
One thing most people miss is the background.
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Behind the President is that Healy painting, The Peacemakers, which depicts Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and Admiral Porter at the end of the Civil War. It was a deliberate choice. Bush wanted to be associated with the idea of steady leadership during times of massive global transition, specifically the end of the Cold War.
Interestingly, at the 1995 unveiling, Bill Clinton made a joke about it. He called the choice of Abrams—who had painted a Democrat (Carter) and now a Republican (Bush)—a "shining example of bipartisanship." It’s a bit of a lost relic of a time when politics felt a little less like a blood sport.
Where Can You See These Today?
There isn't just one set of paintings. That’s a huge misconception. Depending on where you are, you might see a totally different version of the Bushes.
- The White House: This is where the 2005 Chas Fagan portrait of Barbara (with Millie) and the 1994 Herbert Abrams portrait of George H.W. Bush hang.
- The National Portrait Gallery: Here, you’ll find a different painting of 41 by artist Ronald Sherr. This one was painted in Kennebunkport, Maine. It's much more intimate. He’s standing in the East Room (in the painting), but he actually sat for it at his summer home.
- The Bush Presidential Library (College Station): This is where you’ll find the "double portrait." Ronald Sherr painted both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush together. It’s a massive, historic piece that shows the only father-son duo to both hold the presidency besides the Adams family.
The 2025 Forever Stamp Connection
If the Barbara Bush portrait looks familiar to you lately, there’s a reason. In May 2025, the U.S. Postal Service actually used the Chas Fagan portrait (the "good" one) for a commemorative Barbara Bush Forever Stamp.
The unveiling happened in the East Room, hosted by Melania Trump, and it brought the whole story full circle. It basically solidified the Fagan painting as the definitive image of her.
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What This Tells Us About Presidential Legacy
Basically, these portraits aren't just about what someone looked like. They’re about how they wanted to be remembered. George H.W. Bush wanted the weight of history behind him. Barbara wanted her dog and a bit of fresh air.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of these specific works, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Artist: If it's a Bush 41 portrait, look for the name Abrams (White House) or Sherr (Smithsonian). If it’s Barbara, look for Fagan.
- Look for Millie: The presence of the dog is the easiest way to tell the "preferred" official White House portrait from the rejected 1994 version.
- Visit the Smithsonian: The National Portrait Gallery version of the barbara bush and george h.w. bush portrait collection offers a much more relaxed vibe than the formal White House ones.
You can actually view high-resolution versions of all of these through the White House Historical Association digital archives. They have the notes from the artists, which reveal just how many hours the Bushes had to sit still—George apparently was much better at it than he let on, despite being a man who famously hated to be bored.
Next time you're in D.C., check out the differences between the Abrams and Sherr versions of the President. The lighting in the Sherr painting (the Smithsonian one) is considered by many art critics to be some of the best portrait work of the 20th century.