Obama’s Favorite Painting

I don’t know if I would’ve supported Obama as much as I did if I thought his favorite art work was a Pre-Raphaelite painting. All via Two Coats of Paint and original source the Telegram.

There are two version of the painting titled “Hope” by George Frederic Watts.

George Frederic Watts, “Hope” (1886) [Tate]

George Frederic Watts, “Hope” (1886?) [private collection]

10 responses to “Obama’s Favorite Painting”

  1. […] This is an aside titled ‘….But the President Elect Doesn’t Have Great Taste in Art’ dated 11/14/08 “I don’t know if I would’ve supported Obama as much as I did if I realized his favorite art work was a Pre-Raphaelite painting” – Hrag Vartanian […]

  2. Sharon Avatar

    No! I don’t think this is Obama’s favorite painting! The Telegraph writer is making an unfair assumption about Obama’s taste in art because of a phrase Obama heard (and repeated) about the painting. Really slippery journalism. Go back and read the story more carefully. Complete conjecture!

  3. Sharon Avatar

    …but thanks for the link.

  4. hv Avatar

    That’s alright…so am I and it’s fun to second guess people’s taste 🙂 it is the blogosphere after all

  5. Sharon Avatar

    If Obama were a painting, what would he be? I think Ellsworth Kelly.

  6. hv Avatar

    A Kelly would be lovely but I think he’d be more of a Ben Shahn…there’s something gritty about him even though his ideas are lofty…he really connects with people and I do believe he cares about working people.

  7. hv Avatar

    Btw, I corrected my line so that others don’t misunderstand my statement…thanks Sharon.

  8. libhomo Avatar

    Regardless of what Obama might think of that painting, I absolutely hate it.

  9. Craig Banholzer Avatar

    If this were Obama’s favorite painting, it would be just one more thing to like about him.

  10. Jonathan Matthews Avatar

    This painting is a masterpiece. I am pleased that Obama’s favorite painting is timeless–not some anemic fast food modern piece.

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