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Colin Powell

Colin Powell
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, born 16 Feb 1952
Sitter
Colin Luther Powell, 5 Apr 1937 - 18 Oct 2021
Date
December 11, 2007
Type
Photograph
Medium
Inkjet print
Dimensions
Image: 86.5 × 68.7 cm (34 1/16 × 27 1/16")
Sheet: 101.8 × 76 cm (40 1/16 × 29 15/16")
Mat: 122 × 96.5 cm (48 1/16 × 38")
Topic
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses
Interior\Studio
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
Costume\Outerwear\Coat\Jacket
Colin Luther Powell: Male
Colin Luther Powell: Literature\Writer
Colin Luther Powell: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
Colin Luther Powell: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist
Colin Luther Powell: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
Colin Luther Powell: Society and Social Change\Founder
Colin Luther Powell: Military and Intelligence\Joint Chiefs of Staff\Chairman
Colin Luther Powell: Politics and Government\Government official\Presidential Advisor\National Security
Colin Luther Powell: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Colin Luther Powell: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of Agnes Gund
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Object number
NPG.2020.73
Exhibition Label
Born Harlem, New York
One of the greatest modern influencers of foreign policy, Colin L. Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants, decided on a military career while attending the City College of New York. He served in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and eventually retired as a four-star general. A White House Fellowship in 1972 paved the way for Powell’s career in politics.
In 1986, while working as an aide for President Reagan’s secretary of defense, Powell assisted with coordinating the invasion of Grenada and the bombing of Libya. Soon after, he worked as a national security advisor and as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1991, helping to plan Operation Desert Storm.
In 2001, under President George W. Bush, Powell became the first Black secretary of state. While first skeptical of invading Iraq, in 2003, he spoke favorably about initiating the war to the Security Council chamber of the United Nations. Powell was favored by American presidents and honored twice with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Nacido en Harlem, Nueva York
Colin L. Powell fue una de las figuras modernas más influyentes en materia de política exterior. De padres jamaicanos inmigrantes, optó por una carrera militar cuando asistía al City College de Nueva York. Por su servicio en Vietnam obtuvo un Corazón Púrpura y una Estrella de Bronce, y al retirarse era general de cuatro estrellas. Una beca de honor de la Casa Blanca, en 1972, abrió el camino para su carrera política.
En 1986, siendo asistente del secretario de defensa del presidente Reagan, Powell ayudó a coordinar la invasión de Granada y el bombardeo de Libia. Después fue asesor de seguridad nacional y era presidente del Estado Mayor Conjunto cuando en 1991 ayudó a planear la Operación Tormenta del Desierto.
En 2001, bajo el presidente George W. Bush, Powell pasó a ser el primer secretario de estado afroamericano. Aunque al principio tuvo reservas sobre la invasión a Irak en 2003, defendió el inicio de la guerra ante el Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas. Powell gozó del respeto de los presidentes estadounidenses y fue honrado dos veces con la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view