This is a pretty standard White House photo, the sort of image you have probably noticed dozens of times since President Biden took office a little more than 100 days ago, from newspaper photographs to shots on cable news networks.
Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times
But look just past the president and notice the bust of Robert F. Kennedy behind him.
Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times
Kennedy crops up a lot these days, observing the scene here a few weeks ago
Doug Mills/The New York Times
and nosing in here,
Andrew Harnik/Associated Press
as Winston Churchill did during the Trump administration,
Doug Mills/The New York Times
and as Abraham Lincoln did during the Obama administration.
Doug Mills/The New York Times
You will see the bust over and over because of its particular placement next to the fireplace, behind the chair where the president sits during many meetings. Biden has long cited R.F.K. as one of his political heroes, and sees his evolution from a hard-nosed attorney general into a liberal icon as a sign of the capacity to grow.
But it is only one of the highly symbolic pieces of newly installed art that now saturate the images that come out of the White House.
The art in the Oval Office is ever-present, carefully chosen and deliberately placed
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
adding historical weight,
Al Drago for The New York Times
silently commenting on the moment,
Everett Collection/Alamy
the present, now more than ever, in constant tension with the past.
Amr Alfiky/The New York Times
What if the paintings and sculptures could talk? What if they already do?
Indeed, the paintings and the sculptures that are displayed in the Oval Office represent the choices of each American president — subtle and not so subtle signals every administration sends about its values and view of history.
And so although the Oval Office is perhaps not often thought of as an ultra-high-profile rotating exhibition space, in one narrow sense, that is exactly what it is.
“The Oval Office decoration often reflects a president’s view of history and the nature of his hopes for the future,” said Jon Meacham, the presidential biographer whom Biden asked to advise on art for the Oval Office.
“Presidents have a unique place, not only as an object of the historical imagination, but as an architect of it. And so to catalog and take a look around the virtual attic of the Oval Office through the years tells you a lot about what presidents value — not only the stories they are interested in, but the stories they are writing themselves.”
Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times
Presidential and art historians say that already, Biden’s approach to art appears distinct from his predecessors. In terms of sheer volume, he has included more sculptures and paintings than other recent presidents, in part, experts say, because he is trying to signal his support for an array of causes: labor, science, the importance of compromise and more.
Look at Biden’s fireplace wall:
F.D.R.
Washington
Hamilton
Jefferson
Lincoln
F.D.R.
Washington
Lincoln
Hamilton
Jefferson
M.L.K.
R.F.K.
Most presidents hang only one or two portraits in this space.
Most presidents hang only one or two portraits in this space.
He put up five.
He put up five.
And unlike most of his predecessors, he chose to give the most prominent space above the fireplace to a large portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt, like Biden, came to power at a moment of crisis — a point Biden underscored during his address to a joint session of Congress last week. And Biden has largely embraced F.D.R.’s New Deal spirit, signing a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package and outlining a similarly big, ambitious and expensive infrastructure plan.
And unlike most of his predecessors, he chose to give the most prominent space above the fireplace to a large portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt, like Biden, came to power at a moment of crisis — a point Biden underscored during his address to a joint session of Congress last week. And Biden has largely embraced F.D.R.’s New Deal spirit, signing a $1.9 trillion Covid relief package and outlining a similarly big, ambitious and expensive infrastructure plan.
George Washington usually gets the prime spot above the fireplace, but in the Biden administration, his portrait has been moved off-center. Lincoln hangs below him.
George Washington usually gets the prime spot above the fireplace, but in the Biden administration, his portrait has been moved off-center. Lincoln hangs below him.
And on the other side of the fireplace, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton — two men whose political conflicts became unlikely fodder for a hit Broadway musical — are paired together to underscore that argument and division are perennial.
And on the other side of the fireplace, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton — two men whose political conflicts became unlikely fodder for a hit Broadway musical — are paired together to underscore that argument and division are perennial.
Busts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and R.F.K. sit below the framed wall art. Their juxtaposition commemorates their legacies, but also shows how people can change: As attorney general, R.F.K. authorized wiretaps of King, but later became one of his allies.
Busts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and R.F.K. sit below the framed wall art. Their juxtaposition commemorates their legacies, but also shows how people can change: As attorney general, R.F.K. authorized wiretaps of King, but later became one of his allies.
Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Most presidents hang only one or two portraits in this space.
Most presidents hang only one or two portraits in this space.
He put up five.
He put up five.
And unlike most of his predecessors, he chose to give the most prominent space above the fireplace to a large portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
And unlike most of his predecessors, he chose to give the most prominent space above the fireplace to a large portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
George Washington usually gets the spot above the fireplace, but in the Biden administration, his portrait has been moved off-center. Lincoln hangs below him.
George Washington usually gets the spot above the fireplace, but in the Biden administration, his portrait has been moved off-center. Lincoln hangs below him.
And on the other side of the fireplace, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton — two men whose political conflicts have become much more widely understood in recent years — are paired together to underscore the need for unity even between those with differing opinions.
And on the other side of the fireplace, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton — two men whose political conflicts have become much more widely understood in recent years — are paired together to underscore the need for unity even between those with differing opinions.
Busts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and R.F.K. sit below the framed wall art.
Busts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and R.F.K. sit below the framed wall art.
Their juxtaposition commemorates their legacies, but also shows how people can change: As attorney general, R.F.K. authorized wiretaps of King, but later became one of his allies.
Their juxtaposition commemorates their legacies, but also shows how people can change: As attorney general, R.F.K. authorized wiretaps of King, but later became one of his allies.
Moving to the other side of the Oval Office …
Lincoln
Truman
“Avenue in the Rain”
Franklin
Cesar
Chavez
flanking the Resolute Desk …
flanking the Resolute Desk …
Biden has displayed a bust of Lincoln and another of Harry S. Truman.
Biden has displayed a bust of Lincoln and another of Harry S. Truman.
He has also hung a 1917 painting of flag-decorated Fifth Avenue by the artist Childe Hassam, a work that also hung in the office during the Obama and Clinton administrations.
He has also hung a 1917 painting of flag-decorated Fifth Avenue by the artist Childe Hassam, a work that also hung in the office during the Obama and Clinton administrations.
And he has given precious wall space to a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, chosen to honor science and reason. Gone entirely is Andrew Jackson — a favorite of Donald J. Trump.
And he has given precious wall space to a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, chosen to honor science and reason. Gone entirely is Andrew Jackson — a favorite of Donald J. Trump.
Centered directly behind Biden’s head is a bust of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.
Centered directly behind Biden’s head is a bust of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.
Doug Mills/The New York Times
flanking the Resolute Desk …
flanking the Resolute Desk …
Biden has displayed a bust of Lincoln …
Biden has displayed a bust of Lincoln …
and another of Harry S. Truman.
and another of Harry S. Truman.
He has also hung a 1917 painting of flag-decorated Fifth Avenue by the artist Childe Hassam, a work that also hung in the office during the Obama and Clinton administrations.
He has also hung a 1917 painting of flag-decorated Fifth Avenue by the artist Childe Hassam, a work that also hung in the office during the Obama and Clinton administrations.
And he has given precious wall space to a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, chosen to honor science and reason. Gone entirely is Andrew Jackson — a favorite of Donald J. Trump.
And he has given precious wall space to a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, chosen to honor science and reason. Gone entirely is Andrew Jackson — a favorite of Donald J. Trump.
Centered directly behind Biden’s head is a bust of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.
Centered directly behind Biden’s head is a bust of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.
Biden’s office contains at least seven busts of key figures, an unusually high number. They include women, people of color and civil rights champions.
Truman
Rosa Parks
M.L.K.
R.F.K.
Lincoln
Eleanor
Roosevelt
Chavez
Truman
Rosa
Parks
M.L.K.
R.F.K.
Lincoln
Eleanor
Roosevelt
Chavez
Truman
Rosa Parks
M.L.K.
R.F.K.
Lincoln
Eleanor
Roosevelt
Chavez
Taken together, the sculptures represent a diverse and inclusive cross-section of America and its history.
The bust of King was put on view during the Obama administration. The Biden administration has added sculptures of Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks and Chavez. And White House curators believe those artworks are among the first of women and people of color to be displayed in the Oval Office.
No painted works by artists of color have been prominently displayed in the Oval Office over the last six decades, according to curators. No female painters, with the exception of Elizabeth Shoumatoff who painted a portrait of F.D.R., have ever had their work displayed prominently in the room.
It was in the 1960s that Jacqueline Kennedy, as first lady, began the transformation of the White House into a sort of grand, living museum. She created the White House Historical Association, hired the first White House curator and established various committees to assist with preserving art. As a result, the White House now has its own art collection, which presidents often tap when it is time to redecorate.
The Oval Office itself is not very large — around 800 square feet. There are a few places where art traditionally resides.
M.L.K.
bust
R.F.K.
bust
Fireplace
President’s
seat
Typical spots
for art
Desk
R.F.K.
bust
M.L.K.
bust
Typical
spots
for art
President’s
seat
Fireplace
Desk
The president can request items from federally funded art institutions including the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum — or really any other museum that is willing to lend.
Yet the collection of paintings that have hung on the walls of the Oval Office since the Kennedy administration is remarkably small — only about 43 different works (and one photograph) spanning 60 years:
List of artworks: White House curator's office
Most of the paintings have been portraits of founding-father types and other figures from American history such as Washington, Franklin, Lincoln and Jackson:
There were also landscapes:
And there was a photograph of Earth, hung during the Nixon administration.
Astronauts from the Apollo 8 mission gave Richard M. Nixon the photograph, and he had it reframed so it would become “something more suitable” for the Oval Office. He hung the photo to the right of his desk. But it was later replaced with a painting of the White House.
At times, the Oval Office has been more functional and homey than it is today. Franklin Roosevelt, who had the office moved to its present location, barely had room to work on his desk because it was covered with tchotchkes. John F. Kennedy kept a coconut shell on his desk as a paperweight to remind him of the time he was stranded at sea during World War II.
As we take you back in time, keep your eye on the spot above the fireplace —
As we take you back in time, keep your eye on the spot above the fireplace —
President Biden,
President Biden,
Donald J. Trump,
Donald J. Trump,
Barack Obama,
Barack Obama,
George W. Bush,
George W. Bush,
Bill Clinton,
Bill Clinton,
George H.W. Bush,
George H.W. Bush,
Ronald Reagan,
Ronald Reagan,
Jimmy Carter,
Jimmy Carter,
Gerald Ford,
Gerald Ford,
Richard M. Nixon,
Richard M. Nixon,
Lyndon B. Johnson,
Lyndon B. Johnson,
and John F. Kennedy.
and John F. Kennedy.
You may have noticed many of the same landscapes and portraits appearing over and over. Or that Kennedy changed tack, filling his office with seascapes and naval scenes. (Go back and scroll fast. It’s kind of fun.)
Biden’s selection of Roosevelt to hang in the prominent spot above the fireplace is a break from nine consecutive administrations that picked a Washington portrait:
G.H.W. Bush
Reagan
Biden
Trump
Obama
G.W. Bush
Clinton
Carter
Ford
Nixon
Johnson
Kennedy
F.D.R.
Washington
F.D.R.
Ships
G. H.W. Bush
Biden
Trump
Obama
G. W. Bush
Clinton
F.D.R.
Washington
Reagan
Carter
Ford
Nixon
Johnson
Kennedy
Washington
F.D.R.
Ships
Biden
Trump
Obama
G. W. Bush
F.D.R.
Washington
G. H.W. Bush
Clinton
Carter
Reagan
Washington
Ford
Nixon
Johnson
Washington
F.D.R.
Kennedy
Ships
Trump’s decorative choices reflected his admiration for Jackson — a president Trump embraced as a populist leader even as some Democrats distanced themselves from him.
Obama sought to modernize his home and office, bringing in a California decorator to freshen the spaces and borrowing paintings from the Whitney Museum of American Art.
On the other side of the office, watch the spots to the right and left of the desk.
On the other side of the office, watch the spots to the right and left of the desk.
Kennedy,
Kennedy,
Johnson,
Johnson,
Nixon,
Nixon,
Ford,
Ford,
Carter,
Carter,
Reagan,
Reagan,
George H.W. Bush,
George H.W. Bush,
Clinton,
Clinton,
George W. Bush,
George W. Bush,
Obama,
Obama,
Trump,
Trump,
and Biden.
and Biden.
Did you notice anything different in that last photo of Biden’s Oval Office?
Look again.
Where is the Chavez bust? The White House moved it onto a pedestal early on in the administration. It’s on the right in this photo:
Doug Mills/The New York Times
The change means the bust isn’t quite as prominent as it was at first.
Doug Mills/The New York Times
But it won’t look as distracting in pictures.
Doug Mills/The New York Times
Artworks
Biden administration
Charles Alston, “Martin Luther King, Jr.” (1970)/National Portrait Gallery
Anonymous artist after Jean-Baptiste Greuze, “Benjamin Franklin” (19th century)/National Gallery of Art
Anonymous artist after Victor Lamkay, “Eleanor Roosevelt” (c. 1993)/White House Collection
Robert Berks, “Robert F. Kennedy” (1968)/National Portrait Gallery
George Cooke, “City of Washington From Beyond the Navy Yard” (1833)/White House Collection
Childe Hassam, “The Avenue in the Rain” (1917)/White House Collection
George P.A. Healy, “Thomas Jefferson” (c. 1842-1860)/National Gallery of Art
Allan Houser, “Swift Messenger” (1990)/National Museum of the American Indian
Charles Keck, “Harry Truman” (1947)/White House Collection
Artis Lane, “Rosa Parks” (1990)/National Portrait Gallery
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, “Abraham Lincoln” (c. 1923)/White House Collection
George Henry Story, “Abraham Lincoln” (c. 1915)/White House Collection
Gilbert Stuart, “George Washington” (c. 1805)/White House Collection
Frank O. Salisbury, “Franklin Delano Roosevelt” (1947)/White House Collection
Paul A. Suarez, “Caesar Chavez” (1996)/Cesar Chavez Foundation
John Trumbull, “Alexander Hamilton” (c.1805)/White House Collection
Unknown artist, “Daniel Webster” (mid-19th century)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Desk image: Doug Mills/The New York Times
Trump administration
Joseph Siffred Duplessis, “Benjamin Franklin” (c. 1785)/National Portrait Gallery
Asher B. Durand, “Andrew Jackson” (1835)/United States Naval Academy Museum
Ralph E.W. Earl, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1835)/White House Collection
George P.A. Healy, “Thomas Jefferson” (c.1842-1860)/National Gallery of Art
Andrew Melrose, “New York Harbor and the Battery” (c.1887)/White House Collection
Rembrandt Peale, “Thomas Jefferson” (1800)/White House Collection
Rembrandt Peale, “George Washington” (c.1823)/White House Collection
George Henry Story, “Abraham Lincoln” (c.1915)/White House Collection
John Trumbull, “Alexander Hamilton” (c.1805)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: Erin Schaff/The New York Times
Desk image: Carlos Barria/Reuters
Obama administration
Childe Hassam, “The Avenue in the Rain” (1917)/White House Collection
Edward Hopper, “Burly Cobb’s House, South Truro” (1930-33)/Heirs of Josephine N. Hopper and Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Whitney Museum of American Art
Edward Hopper, “Cobb’s Barns, South Truro” (1930-33)/Heirs of Josephine N. Hopper and Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Whitney Museum of American Art
Thomas Moran, “The Three Tetons” (c. 1895)/White House Collection
Rembrandt Peale, “George Washington” (c. 1823)/White House Collection
Norman Rockwell, “Working on the Statue of Liberty”/Copyright SEPS, via Curtis Licensing
George Henry Story, “Abraham Lincoln” (c. 1915)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: Doug Mills/The New York Times
Desk image: White House Historical Association
George W. Bush administration
William Henry David Koerner, “A Charge to Keep” (1929)
Tom Lea, “Rio Grande” (1954)/El Paso Museum of Art
Julian Onderdonk, “Near San Antonio” (no date)/San Antonio Museum of Art
Julian Onderdonk, “Chili Queens at the Alamo” (no date)/Witte Museum
Julian Onderdonk, “Cactus Flowers” (no date)/Witte Museum
Rembrandt Peale, “George Washington” (c.1823)/White House Collection
George Henry Story, “Abraham Lincoln” (c.1915)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum
Desk image: White House Historical Association
Clinton administration
George Cooke, “City of Washington From Beyond the Navy Yard” (1833)/White House Collection
Childe Hassam, “The Avenue in the Rain” (1917)/White House Collection
Thomas Moran, “The Three Tetons” (c.1895)/White House Collection
Rembrandt Peale, “George Washington” (c.1823)/White House Collection
Norman Rockwell, “Working on the Statue of Liberty”/Copyright SEPS, via Curtis Licensing
Thomas Sully, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1824)/National Gallery of Art
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President’s House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: White House Historical Association
Desk image: Dirck Halstead/The LIFE Images Collection, via Getty Images
George H.W. Bush administration
Frederic E. Church, “Rutland Falls, Vermont” (1848)/White House Collection
George Cooke, “City of Washington From Beyond the Navy Yard” (1833)/White House Collection
Thomas Moran, “The Three Tetons” (c.1895)/White House Collection
Charles Willson Peale, “Benjamin Henry Latrobe” (c. 1804)/White House Collection
Rembrandt Peale, “George Washington” (c.1823)/White House Collection
Thomas Sully, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1824)/National Gallery of Art
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President's House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Desk image: Susan Biddle/White House and The LIFE Picture Collection, via Getty Images
Reagan administration
George Cooke, “City of Washington From Beyond the Navy Yard” (1833)/White House Collection
Sanford Gifford, “Seventh Regiment Encampment” (1861)/Union League Club of New York
Victor De Grailly (attributed), “Eastport and Passamaquoddy Bay” (1845)/White House Collection
Charles Willson Peale, “George Washington” (1776)/White House Collection
Thomas Sully, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1824)/National Gallery of Art
A. Wordsworth Thompson, “Passing the Outpost” (1881)/Union League Club of New York
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President's House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: White House Historical Association
Desk image: Ronald Reagan Library
Carter administration
George Cooke, “City of Washington From Beyond the Navy Yard” (1833)/White House Collection
Victor De Grailly (attributed) “Eastport and Passamaquoddy Bay” (1845)/White House Collection
Jean-Baptiste Greuze (attributed), “Benjamin Franklin” (1782)/Department of State
Charles Willson Peale, “George Washington” (1776)/White House Collection
Thomas Sully, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1824)/National Gallery of Art
A. Wordsworth Thompson, “Passing the Outpost” (1881)/Union League Club of New York
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President’s House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: Everett Collection/Alamy
Desk image: Jimmy Carter Library
Ford administration
Albert Bierstadt, “Old Faithful” (c. 1881)/White House Collection
Victor De Grailly (attributed), “Eastport and Passamaquoddy Bay” (1845)/White House Collection
Jean-Baptiste Greuze (attributed), “Benjamin Franklin” (1782)/Department of State
Charles Willson Peale, “Benjamin Franklin” (1785)/Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Charles Willson Peale, “George Washington” (1776)/White House Collection
A. Wordsworth Thompson, “Passing the Outpost” (1881)/Union League Club of New York
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President's House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: White House Historical Association
Desk image: White House Historical Association
Nixon administration
Bill Anders, “Earthrise” (1968)/NASA
Charles Willson Peale, “George Washington” (1776)/White House Collection
Gilbert Stuart, “George Washington” (c.1803/1805)/National Gallery of Art
Unknown artist after William Henry Bartlett, “The President’s House” (c.1836-37)/White House Collection
Fireplace image: White House Historical Association
Desk image: Bettmann/Getty Images
Johnson administration
George Healy, “Henry Clay” (c. 1845)/National Portrait Gallery
Elizabeth Shoumatoff, “Franklin D. Roosevelt” (1966)/White House Collection
Gilbert Stuart, “George Washington” (c.1803/1805)/National Gallery of Art
Thomas Sully, “Andrew Jackson” (c.1824)/National Gallery of Art
Fireplace image: LBJ Presidential Library
Desk image: LBJ Presidential Library
Kennedy administration
Thomas Birch, “USS Constitution vs. Guerriere”/Navy Department, via Canadian War Museum
Thomas Birch, “USS United States vs. HMS Macedonia” (c. 1813)/Philadelphia Maritime Museum
George Catlin, “Buffalo Bull, Grazing on the Prairie” (1832-1833)/Smithsonian American Art Museum
George Catlin, “Buffalo Hunt under Wolf-skin Masks” (1832-1833)/Smithsonian American Art Museum
Robert Salmon, “Boston Harbor” (1843)/Corcoran Gallery of Art
Dominic Serres, “Engagement Between the Serapis, Captain Pearson and the Countess of Scarborough, Captain Percy with Paul Jones and Two American Frigates off Flamborough Head (USS Bonhomme Richard)” (late 18th century)/Corcoran Gallery of Art
Fireplace image: White House Historical Association
Desk image: Robert Knudsen/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston
Note: We've done our best to be comprehensive, interviewing art historians and presidential scholars, reviewing hundreds of images and checking our lists with the White House and its curator’s office. But artworks come and go, and it’s possible we’ve missed a piece or two.
