Object Details
- Artist
- Everett Raymond Kinstler, 5 Aug 1926 - 26 May 2019
- Sitter
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 14 Jul 1913 - 26 Dec 2006
- Exhibition Label
- Thirty-eighth president, 1974–1977
- Gerald Ford’s rise to the presidency was historic. Appointed vice president by Richard Nixon after Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace in 1973, Ford was then sworn in as president on August 9, 1974, after Nixon resigned. He became the first president to hold office without ever having been elected by the people. Ford announced: “Our long national nightmare is over,” and then he immediately set about restoring credibility to the position. In a controversial gesture to heal the nation—and to prevent a lengthy trial—he pardoned Nixon of any wrongdoing. He also offered amnesty to Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. Ford would pay a price for his leniency in his election campaign in 1976. Although he staved off a bitter challenge by Ronald Reagan for the Republican Party nomination, he lost to Jimmy Carter in the general election.
- This portrait by Everett R. Kinstler was painted at Ford’s request, specifically for the National Portrait Gallery. The artist based the likeness on sketches he had made in the late 1970s, when he was working on Ford’s official White House portrait.
- 38o presidente, 1974–1977
- El ascenso de Gerald Ford a la presidencia fue algo histórico. Nombrado vicepresidente por Richard Nixon cuando Spiro Agnew renunció en circunstancias deshonrosas en 1973, Ford fue juramentado como presidente el 9 de agosto de 1974, cuando Nixon a su vez tuvo que renunciar. Ford fue así el primer presidente que asumió el puesto sin haber sido electo a ningún cargo por el pueblo estadounidense. En esa ocasión anunció: “Nuestra larga pesadilla nacional ha terminado” y de inmediato se dedicó a restaurar la integridad de la presidencia. En un controversial gesto dirigido a reparar la nación—y evitar un largo proceso legal— indultó a Nixon de todos los delitos. También extendió una amnistía a los desertores de la Guerra de Vietnam y a los evasores del servicio militar. Ford pagó el precio por su flexibilidad en las elecciones de 1976. Aunque derrotó a Ronald Reagan en unas primarias muy reñidas por la nominación del Partido Republicano, perdió ante Jimmy Carter en las elecciones generales.
- Este retrato fue pintado por Everett R. Kinstler a petición de Ford, específicamente para la National Portrait Gallery. El artista basó la obra en bocetos que había hecho a fines de la década de 1970 cuando trabajó el retrato oficial de Ford para la Casa Blanca.
- Provenance
- Commissioned by NPG; funded donation 1987
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation
- 1987
- Object number
- NPG.87.245
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Copyright
- © 1987 Everett Raymond Kinstler
- Type
- Painting
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- Stretcher: 111.1 x 85.4cm (43 3/4 x 33 5/8")
- Frame: 136.2 x 111.1 x 10.2cm (53 5/8 x 43 3/4 x 4")
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Exhibition
- America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
- On View
- NPG, West Gallery 210
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
- Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Male
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Law and Crime\Lawyer
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Arts & Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\Michigan
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Civilian awards\Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Civilian awards\Congressional Gold Medal
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.87.245
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4ce39533d-459d-47dc-9479-54d84ed8fd98
