Skip to main content

Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Everett Raymond Kinstler, 5 Aug 1926 - 26 May 2019
Sitter
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 14 Jul 1913 - 26 Dec 2006
Date
1987
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 111.1 x 85.4cm (43 3/4 x 33 5/8")
Frame: 136.2 x 111.1 x 10.2cm (53 5/8 x 43 3/4 x 4")
Topic
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Male
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\President of US
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Michigan
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 1987 Everett Raymond Kinstler
Object number
NPG.87.245
Exhibition Label
Thirty-eighth president, 1974–1977
Gerald Ford’s rise to the presidency was historic. Appointed vice president by Richard Nixon after Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace in 1973, Ford was then sworn in as president on August 9, 1974, after Nixon resigned. He became the first president to hold office without ever having been elected by the people. Ford announced: “Our long national nightmare is over,” and then he immediately set about restoring credibility to the position. In a controversial gesture to heal the nation—and to prevent a lengthy trial—he pardoned Nixon of any wrongdoing. He also offered amnesty to Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. Ford would pay a price for his leniency in his election campaign in 1976. Although he staved off a bitter challenge by Ronald Reagan for the Republican Party nomination, he lost to Jimmy Carter in the general election.
This portrait by Everett R. Kinstler was painted at Ford’s request, specifically for the National Portrait Gallery. The artist based the likeness on sketches he had made in the late 1970s, when he was working on Ford’s official White House portrait.
38o presidente, 1974–1977
El ascenso de Gerald Ford a la presidencia fue algo histórico. Nombrado vicepresidente por Richard Nixon cuando Spiro Agnew renunció en circunstancias deshonrosas en 1973, Ford fue juramentado como presidente el 9 de agosto de 1974, cuando Nixon a su vez tuvo que renunciar. Ford fue así el primer presidente que asumió el puesto sin haber sido electo a ningún cargo por el pueblo estadounidense. En esa ocasión anunció: “Nuestra larga pesadilla nacional ha terminado” y de inmediato se dedicó a restaurar la integridad de la presidencia. En un controversial gesto dirigido a reparar la nación—y evitar un largo proceso legal— indultó a Nixon de todos los delitos. También extendió una amnistía a los desertores de la Guerra de Vietnam y a los evasores del servicio militar. Ford pagó el precio por su flexibilidad en las elecciones de 1976. Aunque derrotó a Ronald Reagan en unas primarias muy reñidas por la nominación del Partido Republicano, perdió ante Jimmy Carter en las elecciones generales.
Este retrato fue pintado por Everett R. Kinstler a petición de Ford, específicamente para la National Portrait Gallery. El artista basó la obra en bocetos que había hecho a fines de la década de 1970 cuando trabajó el retrato oficial de Ford para la Casa Blanca.
Provenance
Commissioned by NPG; funded donation 1987
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
On View
NPG, West Gallery 210