It is a long standing tradition for Presidents to have an official portrait painted.

Theodore Roosevelt, President

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a prism of a man, many sided depending on his mood or current interests. He had arguably dozens of interests, and was knowledgeable on dozens, perhaps hundreds of other subjects. The arts however, other than literature and poetry, were not high on his list. His tastes in music, theater, ballet, and the visual arts were by and large respectful, but pedestrian.

Only 42 when he became POTUS, he was at the height of his physical and mental energy. A natural scientist, a cowboy, a prolific writer with a knack for turning a memorable phrase, a strong advocate of name-a-few-causes, and an astute politician, with an additional knack for judging the characters of the people he dealt with quickly and pretty much on target. And not pedestrian.

He was also a devoted family man, close brother, loving husband, engaged father, and loyal friend to those privileged to earn his friendship. And even more rare, those friendships were not predicated on “agreeing with him.” You could disagree on a wide range of subjects without harming the friendship in any way.

All said, TR was a complex man.

John Singer Sargent, Artist

Portrait of Fanny Watts, painted by 21-year-old J.S. Sargent

John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was less than three years older than Roosevelt. An American by parentage, he was born, raised and widely traveled in Europe. His formal education was spotty, but his artistic abilities came to the fore at a remarkably early age. By 21, he was already winning prizes at the prestigious Paris Salon. While his idol and inspiration was Diego Velasquez, the 16^th century Spanish artist, one of his closest friends would be Claude Monet, the 19^th century Impressionist.

As a young man, Sargent painted whatever he liked, but very early in his career, he discovered that portraiture was far more profitable for obtaining commissions. He was also very good at it. By the time he was 25, he was earning some $5000 per portrait.

Suffice it to say he was never a starving artist.

But he was an American, and by the time he was 30, his reputation abroad had hopped the pond. He received commissions and projects in his native land.

The Painter, The Portrait and the President

John Singer Sargent in 1903 – about the time he painted TR.

In 1902, President Roosevelt personally invited  John Singer Sargent to paint his portrait, writing, “It seems to me eminently fitting that an American President should have you paint his picture.” It was a coup for the painter. Both of them were famous, and at the top of their respective careers.

Sargent was dee-lighted to come to the White House in early 1903 and spend a few days, making his sketches, and determining the varied characteristics that he wished to portray of his very complex subject. TR, of course, knowing that he likely had the best of the best for the job, was dee-lighted to give him every courtesy… except time.

When it came to the actual painting part, Sargent required little. He worked quickly. But he was very picky about the pose: where and in what surroundings. He spent a good part of two full days with TR in tow, poking through every inch of the White House trying to find the perfect location and the perfect pose.

Not unsurprisingly, the impatient Roosevelt became antsy. And prickly. He was busy. He had other things to do, and besides, the portrait wasn’t really his idea anyway.

Finally, as they were descending the great staircase, the visibly annoyed President complained that Sargent didn’t know what he wanted.

The artist, snapped back that “TR didn’t know how to pose.”

The President rested his right hand on the newel post at the foot of the stairs tucking his left hand into his pocket and firmly declared that he knew very well how to pose. Sargent turned and exclaimed excitedly, “Don’t move, Mr. President, that is perfect!”

They were both right. Theodore Roosevelt knew very well how to pose. John Singer Sargent knew how to recognize it immediately. It was perfect.

TR was a busy fellow who found it hard to sit or stand still.

The only downside, was that TR didn’t like posing, renowned artist notwithstanding. He agreed to pose for only two sessions and they were short, and grudging. All in all, it was not a pleasant experience for the artist or the subject.

Capturing the Subject

All portrait artists strive to capture the “inner” soul, persona, character, pick-a-word, of the subject, not merely the physical features. The ability to evoke beneath-the-surface qualities is what separates the fine from the genius. Sargent wanted to capture the ruggedness, the determination, the vision and the leadership plus the very charming and personable side of TR.

That in itself was a challenge, given the multi-sides of the subject.

According the New York Times, when the portrait was available for “review,” the critics said that the portrait does not quite capture the “genial side of the President,” but rather his alertness and distinct energy, his attitude when in “the mood of fierce discussion, his lips still quivering with speech, his eyes narrowed behind the glasses in a watchful gaze.”

Happily for all, Theodore Roosevelt was dee-lighted with the portrait. To him, it captured him as a man of power, with a commanding presence and resolute disposition. Exactly what he believed an American President should be. In a letter to his son Kermit, he said, “I like his picture immensely.” When other artists contacted him to suggest another portrait, he adamantly refused, remarking “Upon my word… After Sargent painted his portrait I registered a vow that I was through with sitting for any more portraits.”

It really was a perfect portrait.

P.S. To capture the gentler side of TR, the loving, the caring, the warm and genial facet of his prism, one needed the instantaneous moment of photography. The well known photo of Grandpa TR and his little granddaughter Edith Roosevelt Derby says it better than anything!

Sources:

Brands, H.W. – TR: The Last Romantic – 1997 Basic Books

Dalton,, Kathlen – Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life – 2004, Vintage

Stoddard, Henry L. – As I Knew Them – Harper & Brothers, 1927

http://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/

https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1858.html

https://boundarystones.weta.org/2019/06/21/tale-two-painters-theodore-roosevelts-portraits