The sense of serene detachment apparent in Robert Vickrey's portrait of first lady Pat Nixon is a quality that runs throughout the artist's work. But it also may be expressive of his subject's own predisposition. Although Pat Nixon always supported the political ambitions of her husband, Richard, she was essentially a private person who much preferred the quiet calm of home and family to the public functions and glad-handing that came with being a political wife. Nevertheless, from her husband's years in Congress through the close of his presidency, that preference remained closely shielded as she graciously filled her roles as political helpmeet and the nation's first lady.

This likeness was painted for a cover of Time that ran with a story on Pat Nixon in 1960, the year of her husband's first run for the presidency. The sittings took place at the Nixon home, and according to the artist, after he finished separating egg yolks for use in his tempera, his subject quickly spirited away the leftover whites to her refrigerator for some future use.