Object Details
Artist
Aleksander Titovets, born 1960
Sitter
Laura Bush, born 4 Nov 1946
Exhibition Label
Born Midland, Texas
When Laura Bush entered the White House, she had been advocating for childhood literacy for decades as an elementary school teacher and school librarian. As first lady, Bush cofounded the National Book Festival, an annual literary event organized by the Library of Congress, and established the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Bush took a deep interest in women’s education in Afghanistan, describing how, “long before the current war began, the Taliban and its terrorist allies were making the lives of children and women in Afghanistan miserable.” In 2005, she traveled to Kabul to promise long-term U.S. support for the education of Afghan girls and women and announced a $17.7 million grant for the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). The Laura W. Bush Library and Women’s Resource Center at AUAF opened in 2013; the university moved its campus to Doha, Qatar, in 2021.
Nacida en Midland, Texas
Cuando Laura Bush llegó a la Casa Blanca, llevaba décadas abogando por la alfabetización infantil como maestra de escuela elemental y bibliotecaria escolar. Siendo primera dama cofundó el Festival Nacional de Libro, evento anual organizado por la Biblioteca del Congreso, y estableció la Fundación Laura Bush para Bibliotecas Estadounidenses.
Tras los ataques terroristas del 11 de septiembre de 2001, Bush se interesó en la educación de las mujeres en Afganistán y comentó que “mucho antes de la guerra actual, los talibanes y sus aliados terroristas les hacían la vida imposible a los niños y mujeres en Afganistán”. En 2005 viajó a Kabul para prometer apoyo a largo plazo de EE.UU. para la educación de las niñas y mujeres afganas y anunció una subvención de $17.7 millones para la Universidad Americana de Afganistán (AUAF). La Biblioteca y Centro de Recursos para la Mujer Laura W. Bush en la AUAF se inauguró en 2013; la universidad trasladó su campus a Doha, Qatar, en 2021.
Provenance
Commissioned and purchased by NPG 2008
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Stewart
Date
2008
Object number
NPG.2008.38
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 98.4 x 91.4cm (38 3/4 x 36")
Frame: 113.7 x 107.3 x 6.4cm (44 3/4 x 42 1/4 x 2 1/2")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Earring
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Nature & Environment\Plant\Flower\Flowers
Printed Material\Book
Interior\Interior with Exterior View
Container\Vase
Home Furnishings\Curtain
Laura Bush: Female
Laura Bush: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
Laura Bush: Politics and Government\First Lady\First Lady of US
Laura Bush: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Librarian
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2008.38