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Post Info TOPIC: President Clinton's Portrait.
lilyofcourse


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President Clinton's Portrait.
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Do you see it? The artist included the infamous blue dress. Sort of.

Was that the right thing to do?

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Bill Clinton's portrait artist says he secretly included Monica Lewinsky

undefined <meta itemprop="name url contentUrl" content="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/creativecontent/images/cms/540916_1280x720.jpg"> <meta itemprop="headline caption text" content="Bill Clinton&#39;s portrait artist says he secretly included Monica Lewinsky"> <meta itemprop="description" content="Former President Bill Clinton looks up at his portrait at the Smithsonian Castle Building in Washington, April 24, 2006."> <img src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/creativecontent/images/cms/540916_1280x720.jpg" alt="Former President Bill Clinton looks up at his portrait at the Smithsonian Castle Building in Washington, April 24, 2006." title="Bill Clinton&#39;s portrait artist says he secretly included Monica Lewinsky">
Former President Bill Clinton looks up at his portrait at the Smithsonian Castle Building in Washington, April 24, 2006. (AP Photo)
 
Monday, March 02, 2015 04:54PM
The artist behind Bill Clinton's presidential portrait admits that he secretly included a direct reference to Monica Lewinsky within the painting.

ABC News reports that the portrait's creator, artist Nelson Shanks, revealed in an interview with Philadelphia Daily News that the painting "subtly" incorporated Monica Lewinsky -- a nod to the president's extramarital affair with a 22-year-old intern.

Shanks says he placed a mannequin in a blue dress to cast a shadow on the mantle while he was painting. However, the mannequin and the president were never in the room at the same time, he noted. The blue dress is a reference to the infamous "blue dress" related to the scandal.

"It is also a bit of a metaphor in that it represents a shadow on the office he held, or on him," Shanks told Philadelphia Daily News.



Shanks is a renown portrait artist, having made them for Princess Diana, Pope John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan.

Describing the former president as "the most famous liar of all time," Shanks said that out of all those he immortalized into portraits, Clinton was the hardest to capture.

The artist went on to claim that the Clintons hate the portrait and want it removed from the National Portrait Gallery. However, a museum spokesperson told ABC News that they have not received any such request from the Clintons.

The same portrait also stirred controversy when it was first revealed in 2006 for the notable absence of Clinton's wedding ring.


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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I don't get it. I don't see anything in the shadow.

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cadiver


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I don't get it. I don't see anything in the shadow.

 There is nothing in the shadow.  He just caused a shadow with a blue dress. 



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flan327


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Just paint a portrait without the "commentary..."

flan

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Yeah, I don't really like that sort of thing. If you are commissioned to paint, then you should do so in a respectful way. But, now the picture is probably worth a lot more.

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jlbear71


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Why oh why is my county filled with strange people? The artist lives not far from me.

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Mellow Momma


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

Yeah, I don't really like that sort of thing. If you are commissioned to paint, then you should do so in a respectful way. But, now the picture is probably worth a lot more.

 The portrait was for the national archive, so it's worth was predetermined when they commissioned the artist. 

 

I find the addition of commentary disrespectful and if the official Bush portrait had included a political commentary...all heck would be breaking loose and the artist would be in hiding. 

 

Jmho 



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flan327


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Mellow Momma wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

Yeah, I don't really like that sort of thing. If you are commissioned to paint, then you should do so in a respectful way. But, now the picture is probably worth a lot more.

 The portrait was for the national archive, so it's worth was predetermined when they commissioned the artist. 

 

I find the addition of commentary disrespectful and if the official Bush portrait had included a political commentary...all heck would be breaking loose and the artist would be in hiding. 

 

Jmho 

 Oh, now you've done it, MM...

flan



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Mellow Momma


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Lol. I know. But it's true.

I do appreciate that LGS, who is a republican, has said it was inappropriate. That is very commendable.

But my original comment stands. There would be desth threats against an artist who did that to Bush.

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TrudyML


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That artist can say whatever he wants. That shadow could be from the boogie man. Whatever.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Mellow Momma wrote:

Lol. I know. But it's true.

I do appreciate that LGS, who is a republican, has said it was inappropriate. That is very commendable.

But my original comment stands. There would be desth threats against an artist who did that to Bush.

 No there would not be  " death threats".  Wow. What there would be is talking head liberal commentators laughing about how funny it was.  Kind of like when all the Ws were removed from the computer keyboards ha ha.



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I also think it is wrong to put sex scenes or adult innuendo in cartoons MEANT for kids. I think that is just disgusting.

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ed11563


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I also think it is wrong to put sex scenes or adult innuendo in cartoons MEANT for kids. I think that is just disgusting.

Have you ever watched Sesame Street??? 

Adult themes are there, presented so that KIDS would never realize it.

 

The artist should be chastised for making those comments. If he in fact used a blue dress on a mannequin to cast a shadow he used in the painting, he's a passive aggressive jerk. Now he should retire and be ashamed of himself.

 



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Nope I hated Sesame Street.

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Southern_Belle


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The artist is a jerk. No one cares about the stupid blue dress.

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flan327


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ed11563 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I also think it is wrong to put sex scenes or adult innuendo in cartoons MEANT for kids. I think that is just disgusting.

Have you ever watched Sesame Street??? 

Adult themes are there, presented so that KIDS would never realize it.

 

The artist should be chastised for making those comments. If he in fact used a blue dress on a mannequin to cast a shadow he used in the painting, he's a passive aggressive jerk. Now he should retire and be ashamed of himself.

 

 BINGO!

flan



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I think it is wrong to take those kinds of liberties. It is disrespectful. Now, if he had painted that on his own accord without being commissioned to do so , then fine, paint whatever you want. But, to paint it on assignment and to be paid for that work and knowing that work is going to stand as a National Treasure and act like some adolescent punk, then no. He should be sued for breech of contract and he should have to return whatever he was paid for doing this work.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I'm sorry, but I really take issue with the "if this was Bush, there would be Death threats" type comments.

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lilyofcourse


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ed11563 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I also think it is wrong to put sex scenes or adult innuendo in cartoons MEANT for kids. I think that is just disgusting.

Have you ever watched Sesame Street??? 

Adult themes are there, presented so that KIDS would never realize it.

 

The artist should be chastised for making those comments. If he in fact used a blue dress on a mannequin to cast a shadow he used in the painting, he's a passive aggressive jerk. Now he should retire and be ashamed of himself.

 

 WHAT???? Now Sesame Street is bad? Good Lordnonono



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flan327


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I'm sorry, but I really take issue with the "if this was Bush, there would be Death threats" type comments.

Tee hee!

flan 



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lilyofcourse


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This painting was done in 2006 I believe it said. No one noticed in all this time or recognized this "shadow" as anything. So if the artist hadn't said anything, no one would have been the wiser.

The picture is now in storage.

And it is one of many of Clinton. Just like the other Presidents.

It wasn't right for the artist to take such liberties in this case.

However, that dress was at the center of a scandal that no one was responsible for but Clinton himself. It did "cast a shadow" over his entire administration. And no matter what else he does in his life, he will forever be the president who had the very public "indescretion".

Just like Kennedy was the one who got shot and slept with Marilyn.

Clinton earned his reputation and his legacy all on his own.

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Lawyerlady


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I'm sorry, but I really take issue with the "if this was Bush, there would be Death threats" type comments.

 Seriously.  It's damn stupid, especially over a dumb ass portrait artist who felt the need to make up crap to get his portrait in the news.  That's all this is - and I think they should take the painting, have it destroyed and get a respectable artist to re-do one.



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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I think it is wrong to take those kinds of liberties. It is disrespectful. Now, if he had painted that on his own accord without being commissioned to do so , then fine, paint whatever you want. But, to paint it on assignment and to be paid for that work and knowing that work is going to stand as a National Treasure and act like some adolescent punk, then no. He should be sued for breech of contract and he should have to return whatever he was paid for doing this work.

 The statute of limitations is long gone on that one. 



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cadiver


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I am wondering where the portrait was done where he could roll a mannequin in set it up and not be disturbed.

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flan327


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Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I'm sorry, but I really take issue with the "if this was Bush, there would be Death threats" type comments.

 Seriously.  It's damn stupid, especially over a dumb ass portrait artist who felt the need to make up crap to get his portrait in the news.  That's all this is - and I think they should take the painting, have it destroyed and get a respectable artist to re-do one.

 I agree!!!

flan



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But my original comment stands. There would be desth threats against an artist who did that to Bush.
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please.......

Clinton committed perjury live on television with zero consequences--of course, they couldn't disbar him as he already was ( or Hillary, as she already was )--instead, the public was forced to endure his blatant disregard for the law whether we wanted to or not--he should have been impeached

it is mostly due to his single-handed coercion that the CRA was passed and the stage for the housing market / fanniemae /freddiemac debacle was set--however, given the choice between him and the current " democrat " occupying the white house, would have to go with Clinton--crook that he is, he still thinks of the country now and then


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ed11563


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lilyofcourse wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I also think it is wrong to put sex scenes or adult innuendo in cartoons MEANT for kids. I think that is just disgusting.

Have you ever watched Sesame Street??? 

Adult themes are there, presented so that KIDS would never realize it.

 

The artist should be chastised for making those comments. If he in fact used a blue dress on a mannequin to cast a shadow he used in the painting, he's a passive aggressive jerk. Now he should retire and be ashamed of himself.

 

 WHAT???? Now Sesame Street is bad? Good Lordnonono

Sesame Street was WONDERFUL when my kids were small. I haven't seen it lately, but I don't like some of the changes I've heard about.

Changing Cookie Monster was a bad idea.

 



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voiceofreason


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burns07 wrote:


But my original comment stands. There would be desth threats against an artist who did that to Bush.
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please.......

Clinton committed perjury live on television with zero consequences--of course, they couldn't disbar him as he already was ( or Hillary, as she already was )--instead, the public was forced to endure his blatant disregard for the law whether we wanted to or not--he should have been impeached

it is mostly due to his single-handed coercion that the CRA was passed and the stage for the housing market / fanniemae /freddiemac debacle was set--however, given the choice between him and the current " democrat " occupying the white house, would have to go with Clinton--crook that he is, he still thinks of the country now and then

 Neither of the Clintons have been disbarred. 



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burns07


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do a little more research


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voiceofreason


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I did.

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voiceofreason


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Hillary's license expired and she hasn't renewed it. Bill's was suspended which isn't the same as being disbarred.

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voiceofreason


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Because it doesn't fit your narrative, I'm sure you'll argue. Shrug.

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The Arkansas Supreme Court suspended Clinton’s Arkansas law license in April 2000. On January 19, 2001, Clinton agreed to a five-year suspension and a $25,000 fine in order to avoid disbarment and to end the investigation of Independent Counsel Robert Ray (Starr’s successor). On October 1, 2001, Clinton’s U.S. Supreme Court law license was suspended, with 40 days to contest his disbarment. On November 9, 2001, the last day for Clinton to contest the disbarment, he opted to resign from the Supreme Court Bar, surrendering his license, rather than facing penalties related to disbarment.



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Also - after Clinton's suspension time ended in 2006, he would have had to apply for reinstatement of his law license and I don't think he did so he is not licensed to practice law that I am aware of.

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FNW


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Artists take liberties all the time. David downsized the structure of Notre-Dame Cathedral to give the figures (in Napoleon's Coronation) greater impact. He painted the Emperor's sisters standing immobile, even though they carried the Empress's train. Difference is Napoleon was pleased with these liberties, I suppose, and Clinton is not.

I think the artist here would have been better off providing these details in his memoirs, to be released after the artist's death.

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lilyofcourse


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They, the Clintons, were both happy with both their paintings. They didn't notice it either.



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I don't think casting the shadow was wrong. What was wrong was announcing the inspiration.

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FNW wrote:

I don't think casting the shadow was wrong. What was wrong was announcing the inspiration.

 Exactly.  I don't care how artists actually get their jollies - but there was no purpose in announcing it other than being a publicity stunt.



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I think it is wrong to take those kinds of liberties. It is disrespectful. Now, if he had painted that on his own accord without being commissioned to do so , then fine, paint whatever you want. But, to paint it on assignment and to be paid for that work and knowing that work is going to stand as a National Treasure and act like some adolescent punk, then no. He should be sued for breech of contract and he should have to return whatever he was paid for doing this work.

 The statute of limitations is long gone on that one. 

Why?  Isn't there something to account for knowledge coming to light?   



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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FNW wrote:

I don't think casting the shadow was wrong. What was wrong was announcing the inspiration.

Well, he is just stupid.  He should have announced it like on his deathbed or 20 yrs from now, once it is deeply ingrained in hallowed halls. 



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Lawyerlady


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I think it is wrong to take those kinds of liberties. It is disrespectful. Now, if he had painted that on his own accord without being commissioned to do so , then fine, paint whatever you want. But, to paint it on assignment and to be paid for that work and knowing that work is going to stand as a National Treasure and act like some adolescent punk, then no. He should be sued for breech of contract and he should have to return whatever he was paid for doing this work.

 The statute of limitations is long gone on that one. 

Why?  Isn't there something to account for knowledge coming to light?   

 They paid him to paint a portrait and that's what he did.  



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Southern_Belle


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He should have kept his big mouth shut.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I think it is wrong to take those kinds of liberties. It is disrespectful. Now, if he had painted that on his own accord without being commissioned to do so , then fine, paint whatever you want. But, to paint it on assignment and to be paid for that work and knowing that work is going to stand as a National Treasure and act like some adolescent punk, then no. He should be sued for breech of contract and he should have to return whatever he was paid for doing this work.

 The statute of limitations is long gone on that one. 

Why?  Isn't there something to account for knowledge coming to light?   

 They paid him to paint a portrait and that's what he did.  

 Yes.  Good point.



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Blankie


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Interesting that the artist's name is Shanks. He really stuck it to Clinton.



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