GOP/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Every Republican President walks into a bar. That could be a joke, but it’s also a painting that currently hangs at the White House. The White House is a home for temporary residents, an office building and importantly, a museum. There’s a long tradition — stretching back to the legend of Dolley Madison working to save the large portrait of George Washington rather than have it burned by British troops in 1812 — of artistic preservation. The President can also get access to works from the Smithsonian and other museums around the country for his or her private residence. The White House Historical Association puts a lot of time and effort into curating what’s in the building and on the walls. You can check out the collection in a few different places, including on the White House Historical Association website. And now, in addition to all that, there’s The Republican Club, a portrait of Republican presidents from years past laughing around a table of drinks, sprung from the imagination of Missouri artist Andy Thomas. Without veering into actual art criticism, here’s something similar, a sort of political criticism of the work.”
–Z. Byron Wolf, “This is an actual painting on display in President Trump’s White House,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, October 15, 2018 12:05 pm