Caption Dubya and Laura Bush (Portrait unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery)

Yahoo ^ | 12/19/08

[Libloather]

Class hands the batton to the classless...

[IMissPresidentReagan]

The office sure has aged him. :(

[donna]

Excellent portraits - both of them are way better than the Kennedy one.

[Bullfrogg]

This office will age anyone very quickly regarding the pressures they are under everyday. Especially dealing with issues, like 9-11, and the economic issues of our country, and dealing with our corrupt democrat congress, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, and many more.

Bullfrog

[Red_Devil 232]

That one of “W” standing next to “W” ... kinda hard to tell which is real! Good job!

[Popman]

I like this one

[luckystarmom]

I really like Laura’s. I’m so-so on W’s.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Funny, even after all of the crap he did in office, I’m still gonna miss him...Laura too, classy lady

[Bullfrogg]

Laura Bush is sure a beautiful and classy Woman. I am proud that she is our First Lady, She has done so much good work for our nation.

Bullfrog

[Libloather]

This office will age anyone very quickly regarding the pressures they are under everyday. Especially dealing with issues, like 9-11, and the economic issues of our country, and dealing with our corrupt democrat congress, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, and many more.

Are there any 'aged' Hussein pics out there?

[EDINVA]

In Fox’s coverage, they said the president’s portrait was done by a former classmate? Both portraits seem to capture the Bushes quite well.

[Salvation]

I know what a baton is, but what is a **batton**?

[Vision]

Magnificent paintings.

[Bahbah]

The portraits are truly excellent. For all of my disagreements with W’s policies, I still appreciate the decency of the man. And Laura Bush...lovely, outstanding, just a wonderful woman.

Now, on the other hand, we have quite a different person taking that position. Pushy, wants into Blair House early for her own convenience, trolling for a salary for her oh so hard life. Unbelievable. I would encourage her that, if it is such a burden to represent this country, she just decline to do so. I think the country will be better off.

[9YearLurker]

That criss-cross steepling of his hands is painful just to imitate—I trust he didn’t sit there posed like that for long!

[Marysecretary]

Wow, those are really beautifully done. Very real.

[txhurl]

I am never going to get over this election... Godspeed back to Texas, President and First Lady.

[Libloather]

I know what a baton is, but what is a **batton**?

Apparently, it's something that didn't really pass very well through the Salvation/FR spellcheck.

So, I hand the baton to you. For the record.

[Chickensoup]

Gosh this one looks like a page from the children’s book “Good Dog Carl.”

[mass55th]

Since these are to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery, I’m assuming they still have to have their White House portraits done. I’m basing this on comments by Mrs. Bush during this week’s White House series of programs on C-Span. Mrs. Bush said those portraits wouldn’t be completed until after they were gone from the White House.

[SoftballMominVA]

Funny, I was the opposite...I like his but was at best iffy on hers

To each his own I reckon :)

[Bulldawg Fan]

Its almost as good as a photograph. Well done George, except for $$$$$$$$$$$ craziness.

[Ramius]

It does take quite a while for the official portraits to be finished. I recall that the Clinton portrait unveiling was officiated by W.

[Doug TX]

obammy had a portrait made as 'pre-inaguration'. First of its kind from my research....

[what's up]

Love the portrait of the President.

Relaxed dignity...friendly, smiling.

Captured his spirit wonderfully. Thank God for George Bush.

[maine-iac7]

well, at least you know yourself - per your moniker

[maine-iac7]

As a portrait artist, I always hold my breath when these paintings are unveiled.

these are great -

[LiberConservative]

As much as I have loathed W's policies, these portraits are priceless ... in a VERY GOOD WAY. I'll miss this man. I really will. And I suspect America will miss him even more after they get a few months of 0bama.

[Libloather]

obammy had a portrait made as 'pre-inaguration'. First of its kind from my research....

I've got another -

[edge10]

‘How come he won’t shake my hand?’

[maine-iac7]

better views of paintings

http://www.npg.si.edu/collect/bushportraits.htm#

[maine-iac7]

Funny, I was the opposite...I like his but was at best iffy on hers

Actually, after looking at them on the National Gallery site - I'm 'iffy' on Laura's as well...Just not quite her. And his - well, the skin tones are just not 'there'...

As a portrait artist myself, I would not have been totally happy with these...

[time4good]

Laura’s painting shows her well - beauty, femininity, grace.

GW’s shows him well - humility, no pretenses.

[SERKIT]

Where da pitcher of Barry in da gay hat at?

[tet68]

I know what a baton is, but what is a **batton**?

Some kind of red stick?

Or is it, “Take the baton and batten the hatchers.”
Must be some kinde of egg dish from the Philippines....

[Domestic Church]

They captured Laura’s smiling eyes well.

[BAW]

obammy had a portrait made as 'pre-inaguration'. First of its kind from my research....

Here's another

[Texas56]

I really like the one of the President. It looks very realistic. I think Laura’s is nice, but a little too soft. It doesn’t quite catch her essence.

[sinanju]

I prefer the “W” one.

The Laura one is nice too, but it doesn’t look like her.

[sinanju]

The hands and the face are clearly the focal points of the canvas.

The artist may have worked partially from sketches and photos. It varies.

[sinanju]

The Laura portrait looks more like fellow Texan Janine Turner.

[Kakaze]

As much as I have loathed W's policies, these portraits are priceless ... in a VERY GOOD WAY. I'll miss this man. I really will. And I suspect America will miss him even more after they get a few months of 0bama.

Amen, by the 20th of January, there will be a lot of Americans missing "Dubya".

[SkyPilot]

Laura looks cute.

[Tax-chick]

I really like Laura’s. I’m so-so on W’s.

I agree. He's slouching! The expression is pleasant, though.

[Mila]

Here's a more formal portrait done for the Union Club in Philadelphia. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/12/20081206-3.html

[Petronius]

The same artist, if I'm not mistaken, once did quasi-impressionist paintings, including The Unstrung Harp, The Rusty Trombone, and A Box of Rain.

It's interesting how an artist can serve his apprenticeship in one niche before mastering another (like a classically trained pianist who becomes a jazz musician).