First Painters
George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, is perhaps the most prominent example of an American president who turned to fine art as a means of processing profound national trauma. While he had dabbled in painting earlier in life, his most significant and widely recognized body of work emerged from the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Following the attacks, Bush took up painting with renewed intensity, describing it as a way to "process" the events of that day. Over a period of years, he created a series of oil paintings depicting the destruction of the World Trade Center. His approach was not one of graphic horror, but of "light." He observed the interplay of light and form under the smoke-filled sky, using a muted palette of grays, blues, and earth tones to evoke a sense of mourning and reflection.
"I was trying to capture the light... the way the light hit the smoke," Bush explained regarding his 9/11 series.
These works were distinct from his earlier, more traditional images. They were deeply personal yet universally resonant. In 2026, to honor the 25th anniversary of the attacks, a collection of these paintings, entitled "Remembering 9/11" was exhibited at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. The exhibition allows the public to see the President's intimate and contemplative response to the event, transforming a political presence into a visual witness of history. His artistic style in these works is characterized by truthful representation. The images focus on the emotion of the scene, avoiding outrage or sensationalism in favor of a somber, meditative tone. The light of the scenes is bright, without dramatic shadow effects, to symbolize hope and remembrance amidst destruction. Bush was a self-taught painter who began his artistic journey much later in life, finding in painting a sanctuary from the pressures of public life. His 9/11 series remains his defining artistic contribution, a testament to the human capacity for reflection and healing.
The Legacy of American Painter Presidents
While George W. Bush is a celebrated artist for his 9/11 series, several other U.S. Presidents have demonstrated significant artistic talent, ranging from prolific oil painters to skilled draftsmen.
1. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) – The Prolific Landscape Painter
Eisenhower, the 34th President, was an exceptionally prolific artist, producing roughly 260–300 oil paintings during the last two decades of his life. Unlike Bush, whose art was a late-life response to trauma, Eisenhower's painting was a lifelong therapeutic hobby he picked up at age 58.
How He Started: The spark came in 1948 while he was president of Columbia University. Watching artist Thomas E. Stephens paint his wife, Mamie, he tried his hand at a copy on the back of a crate. Impressed, Stephens gifted him a full set of oils.
Style and Subjects: His work was dominated by landscapes—rolling hills, lakes, and scenes of his family farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He also painted portraits, including a famous 1955 Portrait of Winston Churchill, whom he considered a friend and fellow painter.
White House Studio: He maintained a studio on the second floor of the White House, often squeezing in daily brushstrokes even during the height of the Cold War. He famously called painting "the best way in the world to relax."
Legacy: His works are held at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and the Eisenhower National Historic Site. He never considered himself a "serious" artist, often telling Churchill he had "no talent," yet his earnest, simple work remains a beloved part of his legacy.
2. Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) – The Folk-Art Humanitarian
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President, was a lifelong artist who pursued oil painting, woodworking, and poetry in parallel with his political career. His art became a central part of his post-presidency identity.
Style and Subjects: Carter worked in a distinct folk-art style, creating 108 paintings over his lifetime. His subjects included landscapes of his hometown in Plains, Georgia, church steeples, wildlife (particularly birds like cardinals and eagles), and portraits of his family.
Philanthropy: Carter’s art has been a major source of funding for The Carter Center. His paintings have been sold at auction for millions of dollars, with notable sales including Monarchs and Milkweed ($525,000) and Cardinals ($340,000).
Other Mediums: Beyond painting, Carter is a skilled woodworker, having created furniture including miniature White Houses and ladder-back chairs. He is also a prolific poet and author.
Legacy: His work continues to hang at the Carter Center in Atlanta, and his art sales remain a vital part of his humanitarian efforts.
3. Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) – The Military Draftsman
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President and Civil War general, possessed a skilled talent for watercolor and drawing, developed primarily during his time as a cadet at West Point.
Training: His artistic skills were honed as part of the rigorous West Point curriculum, where cadets were trained in topographical drawing for military mapping. He studied under the respected artist Robert Walter Weir.
Style and Subjects: Grant’s work was characterized by attention to detail and was primarily in watercolor. His subjects included landscapes, Native Americans, working horses, and scenes from his military campaigns.
Limitations: Unlike Eisenhower or Carter, Grant’s artistic activity was concentrated in his West Point years. He did not continue drawing seriously in his later life and did not mention his early passion in his famous Personal Memoirs.
Legacy: His surviving works are considered accomplished but amateur, reflecting the training he received rather than a deep artistic calling. Several are held in private collections and museums.
4. John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) – The Casual Sketcher
John F. Kennedy was not a prolific painter in the traditional sense, but he demonstrated a talent for sketching and drawing, particularly related to his naval service.
Notable Works: His most famous artistic contributions were pencil sketches created in 1957 to help a screenwriter for a Navy Log TV episode about the sinking of his patrol boat, PT-109. These sketches detailed the layout of the boat and the path of the Japanese destroyer.
Paintings: Kennedy painted a few canvases in his personal life, including a 1955 oil painting that sold for over $150,000 at auction in 2017.
Art Collecting: While not a trained artist, Kennedy was an enthusiastic art collector, and his White House staff managed correspondence regarding paintings and drawings sent to him.
Legacy: Kennedy’s artistic output was modest and largely commemorative, centered on his World War II Navy experience rather than a lifelong pursuit of art.