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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
How D'ya Tell a Portrait from a Popularity Poll?
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

How D'ya Tell a Portrait from a Popularity Poll?

Artifact ID1973.1.484
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Date ca. July 1967
Medium Ink, grease pencil and attached print on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 17 1/2 in x W 15 in (44.5 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ angrily stands in front of a decreasing popularity graph superimposed over the Hurd portrait of LBJ. Caption: “How D'ya Tell a Portrait from a Popularity Poll?”. Artist signature lower right: "Bert Whitman".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: “Sat.”.
Historical NoteWhen Lyndon Johnson saw his official White House portrait by Peter Hurd, he said it was the “ugliest thing I ever saw.” President Johnson’s approval ratings were very high at the start of his presidency and remained fairly high throughout 1964 and 1965 while much of the Great Society legislation was getting passed. By 1966, as the Vietnam War escalated, his approval and disapproval ratings were around the same. Throughout 1967, when this cartoon was made, his approval ratings continued to decline.
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 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)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Phoenix
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