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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Now Don't Tell Me It's Ugly!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Now Don't Tell Me It's Ugly!

Artifact ID1973.1.952
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (born 1926)
Gifter
Publisher
Date 1967
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/4 in x W 17 in (36.2 cm x 43.2 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ is touching up his portrait, which has been removed from its labeled (“Peter Hurd”) frame, with paint ("Surtax Blue") chosen from a number of other tubes (“Backlash White”, “Powell Black”, “Hanoi Red”, “Dollar Green”, “Texas Rose”). The portrait shows him rolling up his sleeve and holding a book ("State of the Union"). Caption: “Now Don't Tell Me It's Ugly!”. Artist signature lower left: "Peb”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper left: [red] "To President Johnson, with my deepest respect and admiration - Peb 67".
Historical NoteIn January 1967, Lyndon Johnson delivered a State of the Union Address addressing past achievements of the Johnson administration and issues such as crime, taxes, and foreign policy. When Lyndon Johnson saw his official White House portrait by Peter Hurd, he said it was the “ugliest thing I ever saw.”
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 Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (American, 1908 - 1972)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (American, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
HanoiTexas
Place of Publication
Philadelphia
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