Portrait Tour - Gallery of Governors, Floor Two
Continue walking clockwise around the rotunda railing to view the Gallery of Governors. Three portraits from Governor Swainson you'll find the portrait of Governor Blanchard.
Portrait Symbolism
As you walk around the rotunda, you may notice that many governors have included seemingly random objects in their portraits. In reality, each object has a meaning that can tell us more about the governor, their administration, and their accomplishments in office.
Portrait of Governor James Blanchard
Governor James Blanchard
Robert Wilbert (1926 - 2016)
Oil on Canvas
1998
Symbolic items in this portrait of Governor James Blanchard include a vase of maple leaves for his term as Ambassador to Canada, a model car for the Chrysler rescue package he spearheaded, a white diploma for the Michigan Education Trust (tied with a Spartan green ribbon for Michigan State University), and two volumes of the Congressional Record for his time in Congress.
Many visitors ask about the "moving box" behind the governor, as well. The portrait's artist, Robert Wilbert, was known to prioritize form over function with his portrait props, incorporating humble objects - like the box - to display symbolic items. Wilbert was also the artist behind Michigan's Sesquicentennial stamp design, featured on the poster behind Blanchard's foot.
Portrait of Governor John Engler
Governor John Engler
Nelson Shanks (1937 - 2015)
Oil on canvas
2005
This portrait of Governor Engler strikes a careful balance between casual and controlled. He stands in a relaxed pose and is painted in a lifelike fashion, including age lines on his face. Objects appear to be piled haphazardly on his desk, though each one has a symbolic meaning.
The brass elephant and the bust of Lincoln symbolize the Republican party, while the books reflect his political and personal interests (for example, the biography of Pope John Paul II acknowledges Engler’s practice of Catholicism). A photo of Engler’s wife and three daughters shows that he is a family man – as do the roses in each corner of the painting's gilded frame, one for each of the family members pictured. Engler's tie features profiles of Adam Smith, an economist associated with conservative politics, and he holds blueprints to denote his involvement in the Capitol's 1987-1992 restoration.
Portrait of Governor Jennifer Granholm
Governor Jennifer Granholm
Charles Pompilius (1953 - )
Oil on canvas
2011
Governor Jennifer Granholm's portrait is carefully crafted to communicate a message of hope and success to her viewers. She has chosen a powerful, wide-legged stance and surrounded herself with symbolic objects, many of them related to her pursuit of a greener future.
A painting of the Ford River Rouge Plant hangs behind her, nodding to the historic importance of manufacturing in Michigan, while a model wind turbine and Chevy Volt (an electric car) sit on the table beside her. The shovel in the background alludes to a groundbreaking ceremony for a Holland battery plant, which she attended with President Barack Obama. The books on her shelf have been carefully selected to reflect the governor’s values and interests, and a miniature Spirit of Detroit statue sits on top of it.
Portrait of Governor Rick Snyder
Governor Rick Snyder
Joshua Adam Risner (1976 - )
Oil on canvas
2020
Unlike many portraits in the collection that surround governors with visibly symbolic objects, this portrait communicates with viewers more organically. Though small symbols are hidden throughout the portrait, like a Petoskey stone tucked between leaves in the bottom left corner, artist Joshua Risner places more emphasis on capturing the governor's identity and essence in paint.
Snyder stands outdoors, beside a lake and surrounded by tall autumn trees. This background can be read metaphorically, suggesting qualities such as strength, fortitude, and wisdom with age – all traits that a governor strives to embody.
The east wing is to the left of Governor Snyder’s portrait. Enter to view the Capitol’s only presidential portrait and travel to the third floor.