First Ladies of the United States

by National Portrait Gallery Washington, Kim Sajet (Foreword), Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw (Text)

A gorgeous publication that reveals the historical importance of first ladies through portraiture.

Each first lady has brought her own priorities and flair to the position that has never been officially defined. They have served as hostesses, trendsetters, activists, and political players. First Ladies of the United States features 84 portraits of the nation's first ladies, as varied in style and representation as the individual women they depict. From watercolors and oil paintings to engravings and photographs, this book celebrates the legacy of first ladies throughout history.

First ladies are some of the most scrutinized public figures in the country, praised or criticized on everything from their fashion to their level of political involvement. There's no better way to explore their visibility and lasting impact than with First Ladies of the United States , which places remarkable portraits alongside an insightful essay and lively entries that illuminate the history of the women who have shaped the White House.

Genres: History

180 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is an art museum in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded in 1962 and opened in 1968, it is part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Its collections focus on images of American artists, politicians, scientists, inventors, activists, and performers who have contributed to the nation's history, development, and culture.

Reviews

[The History Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning more about the women who have served as America’s First Ladies. They are endlessly fascinating (much more so than their husbands!) and have compelling stories that affect the way they take on this unofficial but ever-so-important role. The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibit featuring the First Ladies, Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States, and while the museum is temporarily closed due to COVID restrictions, we can visit virtually through its website and now this beautiful book. The photos are gorgeous, and I loved learning about each First Lady and the details behind each portrait. There are so many amazing women who aren’t well-known in today’s world, and I hope this book starts a new conversation about their accomplishments.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book, a companion to the National Portrait Gallery (a superb Smithsonian museum)'s recent exhibition Every Eye is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States, is so much more than just a quick flip-through of portraits of the First Ladies. Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw enlightens the reader with both the insightful essay at the start of the book and, accompanying each portrait, the interesting details about each first lady, the portrait, and sometimes the artist.

Oftentimes when I have purchased a museum exhibition catalogue, I have struggled to read the catalogue and end up merely flip through the pages to see the pictures occasionally. This catalogue, at 180 pages total, seemed manageable, with the essay at the front (punctuated by pictures), and two to four pages (writing and pictures) dedicated to each first lady.

Not all of the portraits are paintings. There are photographs (older and more recent), engravings, and even a bust! A lot of information is given about each first lady (and then there were times I wanted more and looked up more) -- birth (and death, if applicable) years, the years that were spent as the first lady, when the portrait was made -- and this information made the book even richer. There are stories about the ladies -- Abigail Powers Fillmore was a teacher and taught 19-year old Millard Fillmore (one year her junior) to read!! Eleanor Roosevelt's maiden name was Roosevelt and she and FDR were 5th cousins! Some of the presidents were bachelors or were (or became) widowers or their wives were in ill-health or were grieving the all-too frequent loss of a child, so nieces, cousins, or daughters stepped in to fill the role of first lady. Some presidents (re)married while in office. There's an absolutely beautiful Daguerrotype of Jane Pierce and her son Benny, made even more poignant by the story shared by Ms. Dubois Shaw. The variety of fashions and hairstyles and types of portraits are all interesting to see.

I'm really glad I read the book; I got the book from the library, but I am thinking of purchasing the book and possibly buying copies for Christmas gifts.

The National Portrait Gallery is a gem. I wish I could visit DC more often (or even live there) to be able to visit the gallery whenever I wanted, but the museum also has a robust website and a searchable page for the exhibition.

[Susan Lindquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really about the art ... the profiles for each of the FLOTUS or the hostesses that maintained the social life within the White House for administrations that lacked a First Lady's involvement are brief and sometimes glossed over. That being said they are interesting and provide a snapshot of the background and personal interests plus the social impact that the women had on the country at the time. It's about the artwork, though. One sees the progression of the art of portraiture that the times ... for an art geek, this is a fun and fast read, but the time staring at the portraits adds coinsiderably to the time spent with the book.

[h · Rating 2 out of 5]

The portraits are nice, but it’s poorly written and vague, many of the facts being repeated. Also, it seems to contradict itself at times, but maybe that’s just its confusing set up.

[Coppermama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting overview of the First Ladies. Very minimal.