Portrait Tour - Executive Lobby

After entering the east wing, you'll find the portrait of President Ford on the large wall to your left.

Portrait of President Gerald R. Ford

President Gerald R. Ford 

Mark Heckman (1961 - 2010)

Oil on canvas

1991

This painting of President Gerald R. Ford is the only portrait of a president in the Capitol's collection. Ford resided in Grand Rapids for most of his childhood and adult years prior to his time in Congress. This larger-than-life portrait of Ford entered the Capitol's collection in 1991.

Artist Spotlight: Mark Heckman’s Neo-Pop Art

Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press

The graphic quality of this piece, with dark outlines and saturated colors, is reminiscent of pop art from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s created by artists like Chuck Close and Andy Warhol. Completed in the early '90s, however, this painting can be better classified as exemplifying the neo-pop movement, which similarly broke from artistic tradition and was influenced by popular culture, mass production, and advertising.

Artist Mark Heckman is known for his graphic design and illustration, as well as billboard paintings. This artistic background is revealed through his stylistic choices in this painting. 

Take the east wing elevator up to floor three to visit the Old Supreme Court Room.