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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Good Question
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Good Question

Artifact ID1973.1.2570
Artist (United States, 1907 - 1981)
Publisher (founded 1885)
Date ca. January 1966
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 1/4 in x W 14 3/8 in (28.6 cm x 36.5 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A man ("Peter Hurd") holds a portrait ("Reject") behind his back and speaks to another artist ("Nation's Cartoonists") working on a caricature of LBJ. Hurd asks, "How do you guys get away with it?". Caption: “Good Question”. Artist signature lower right: "Bill McClanahan Dallas News”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower center: "To our President (and fellow Texan) with best wishes - Bill McClanahan".
Historical NoteWhen Lyndon Johnson saw his official White House portrait by Peter Hurd, he said it was the “ugliest thing I ever saw.” He rejected the portrait and commissioned different portrait by Elizabeth Shoumatoff. Lyndon Johnson liked and collected political cartoons of himself and kept correspondence with political cartoonists. Many cartoonists also liked that Johnson's features were easy to caricature.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Peter Hurd (United States, 1904 - 1984)
Not on view
Place of Publication