Reading Faces: An Artist's Honest View on Presidential Portraits

Reading Faces: An Artist's Honest View on Presidential Portraits

President Donald Trump recently complained about a portrait of himself displayed in the Colorado State Capitol, saying it was “deliberately distorted.” The portrait was created with the help of Republicans and hung in the Capitol in 2019, but was removed at the request of the president. The president claimed that the portrait distorted him, while he said that the same artist’s portrait of former President Barack Obama was “excellent.” The incident was reported by AFP.

​A portrait of President Donald Trump on display in the third-floor gallery of the Colorado State House. Photo = AP News

As an artist and someone who deeply appreciates the power of portraiture, I recently found myself drawn into the discussion surrounding two presidential portraits—those of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Without any political bias or judgment, I simply wanted to observe the paintings as works of art and share the impressions they left on me.

President Obama’s portrait immediately struck me with its energy and composure. He is not facing directly forward, but looking slightly to the side, gazing into the distance. This posture, along with his calm yet resolute expression, gave me the impression of a leader on the verge of a profound announcement. It exudes charisma and conviction—a moment of pause before stepping into purpose. The composition, pose, and facial expression work together to evoke both reflection and strength.

President Trump's portrait, on the other hand, gave off a very different mood. Technically speaking, his skin appears smoother than in reality, and the contours of his face have been softened considerably. Perhaps the artist intended to portray him in a more idealized light. However, that very smoothness may have created a sense of dissonance for the viewer—or even for Trump himself. His expression feels tense, almost anxious, and that emotional nuance might have been the source of his discomfort. I can understand why he may have found it unsettling.

What this reminded me of is that portraiture is not just about likeness—it’s about presence, narrative, and energy. A good portrait doesn’t only show who someone is on the outside; it reveals something of their inner world, their story, their moment.
Reflecting on this, I couldn’t help but notice something broader in today’s world. Those in power can speak without filters, whether officially or informally, whenever they feel moved to. But for ordinary people—people without institutional authority—it often feels like even honest observations must be weighed with caution. As I wrote this, I found myself wondering: Will I be misunderstood just for saying what I see?

Let me be clear: I am not offering a political statement. I am not judging either of these men. I am simply sharing what the art made me feel. And in doing so, I hope to affirm that art remains a space where diverse interpretations and honest emotion still have a place. Sometimes a portrait reveals more than a press release ever could—and I believe we need that kind of quiet truth in the world.