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The portrait of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, will be removed from the Colorado state Capitol following criticisms from the president himself, who stated that the artwork deliberately distorts his image.
The decision came after Trump published a message on his platform Truth Social, where he expressed his rejection of the portrait that hangs alongside those of other former presidents of the country, revealed the agency AP, citing CNN USA.
In his post, Trump described the portrait as "purposefully distorted" and praised the one of Barack Obama, also created by the same artist, Sarah Boardman, stating that "it looks wonderful."
The painting was installed in 2019, following a fundraising campaign led by the Colorado Republican Party through the GoFundMe platform, in which more than $10,000 was raised.
Since its presentation, the portrait has generated mixed opinions, including criticism over the decision to depict the then-former president as a "non-conflictive" and "thoughtful" figure.
Following the recent statements from the leader, Republican leaders in the Legislature requested that the work be removed and replaced with a new version that more accurately reflects its “contemporary likeness,” emphasized AP.
The Legislative Executive Commission, which includes representatives from both parties, signed a letter officially authorizing the withdrawal.
Although Trump mentioned the state governor as responsible for the placement of the portrait, the management of the portraits in the Capitol falls under the Advisory Committee on Buildings.
While the presidential portraits up to Jimmy Carter were donated as part of a collection, the more recent ones have been funded by parties or external donations.
In the days leading up to the announcement, the portrait attracted many visitors who came to take photos next to the painting.
Some, like Kaylee Williamson, a young Trump supporter, felt that the image resembled him, albeit with a more "gentle" tone.
Others, like Aaron Howe, offered more relaxed comments, noting that the president "looks a bit chubby," but that "he's doing better than I could."
So far, the artist Sarah Boardman has not publicly commented on the decision.
In previous interviews, he explained that his goal in depicting political figures was to maintain a neutral approach and allow each viewer to draw their own conclusions, emphasized AP.
According to details provided by The New York Times, Donald Trump's portrait will be stored after its removal in a "safe and appropriate place," as determined by the research director of the state Legislative Council.
Trump also lashed out at the artist Sarah Boardman, suggesting that she "lost her talent with age," in contrast to the portrait of Barack Obama that she also painted and which the president publicly praised.
The work was made possible thanks to a fundraising campaign led in 2019 by former Republican Senator Kevin Grantham, after Boardman won a competition to create both presidential portraits.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Removal of Trump's Portrait from the Colorado Capitol
Why was the portrait of Donald Trump removed from the Colorado Capitol?
The portrait of Donald Trump was removed from the Colorado Capitol due to Trump's own criticisms, who stated that the artwork deliberately distorted his image. Following his remarks, Republican leaders requested the removal of the painting to replace it with one that more accurately reflects his "contemporary likeness."
Who was the author of the controversial portrait of Trump in the Colorado Capitol?
The portrait of Trump was created by Sarah Boardman, an artist who also painted the portrait of Barack Obama for the same space. Although Boardman has not publicly commented on the removal, she previously explained that her aim was to maintain a neutral approach in her portraits.
What has been Donald Trump's reaction to the portrait of Obama in the Capitol?
Donald Trump praised the portrait of Barack Obama, created by the same artist, stating that "it looks wonderful". This comparison underscored his dissatisfaction with his own portrait, which he described as "deliberately distorted."
How was the portrait of Trump financed in the Colorado Capitol?
The portrait of Trump was funded through a fundraising campaign organized by the Colorado Republican Party on the GoFundMe platform, where over $10,000 was raised. This has been a common practice for more recent portraits in the Capitol, unlike earlier ones that were donated.
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