US President Donald Trump has demanded a portrait of himself to be taken down as he hit out at the British artist who painted it.
Trump branded the painting at the Colorado State Capitol “truly the worst”, claiming it was “purposely distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before”.
Artist Sarah Boardman said the portrait showed the US President with a “serious, thoughtful, non-confrontational” expression, after it was commissioned in 2018.
In his rant about the piece, Trump added: “The artist also did President Obama and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst.”
Trump branded the painting at the Colorado State Capitol “truly the worst”
TRUTH SOCIAL
Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US President claimed people from Colorado had called and written to complain about the portrait.
He added: “I am speaking on their behalf to the radical Left governor, Jared Polis… to take it down. Jared should be ashamed of himself.”
Trump also said the artist “must have lost her talent as she got older.”
When the artwork was unveiled in August 2019, there was little opposition. Republican state senator John Cooke described the piece as symbolising "the strength of the American spirit".
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During the commissioning process, Boardman presented the capitol building advisory committee with two sketches and four photographs to select the foundation for the image.
They chose her preferred option, rejecting a photo of the president that portrayed him as "marginally less confident."
The artist has claimed her personal views on Trump played no part in the creative process.
Speaking to the Colorado Times Recorder, Boardman said: “It is the portrait, likeness, and “essence” of the subject which I strive to portray.”
The artist has claimed her personal views on Trump played no part in the creative process
SARAH BOARDMAN WEBSITE
“Any personal feelings about any subject are not relevant and are left outside the studio per my training to ‘leave those emotions at the door’,” she added.
A spokesman for Governor Jared Polis said he was “surprised to learn the president of the United States is an aficionado of our Colorado state capitol and its artwork".
“We appreciate the president and everyone’s interest in our capitol building and are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience,” they added.
This comes as Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, revealed earlier this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given him a “beautiful” portrait of Trump.
