Everett Raymond Kinstler, 5 Aug 1926 - 26 May 2019
Sitter
Elizabeth "Betty" Ford, 8 Apr 1918 - 8 Jul 2011
Exhibition Label
Born Chicago, Illinois
First Lady 1974–1977
Elizabeth “Betty” Anne Bloomer performed with Martha Graham’s modern dance company in New York City before marrying Gerald Ford in 1948. As first lady, Betty Ford earned both scorn and praise for her pro-choice beliefs and her strong support of the Equal Rights Amendment. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy just weeks after becoming the first lady. Her open encouragement of women to perform self-exams and to seek early medical care is credited with saving millions of lives. After leaving the White House, Ford spoke candidly about her drug and alcohol dependency, which she developed after suffering from a pinched nerve and chronic arthritis.
Artist Everett Kinstler completed this vibrant portrait of Ford in 1996, two years before she and her husband won the Congressional Gold Medal. Kinstler also painted Gerald Ford’s White House portrait and the portrait of him that is in the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition America’s Presidents.
Nacida en Chicago, Illinois
Primera dama 1974–1977
Elizabeth “Betty” Anne Bloomer formó parte de la compañía de danza moderna de Martha Graham en Nueva York antes de casarse con Gerald Ford en 1948. Como primera dama, recibió elogios y desprecio por defender los derechos reproductivos
de la mujer y la Enmienda de Igualdad de Derechos. Semanas después de llegar a la Casa Blanca, le diagnosticaron cáncer del seno y se sometió a una mastectomía. Su exhortación a que las mujeres se hicieran autoexámenes del seno y buscaran atención médica temprana contribuyó a salvar millones de vidas. Tras dejar la Casa Blanca, Ford habló francamente de su dependencia del alcohol y los calmantes a causa de un nervio comprimido y artritis crónica.
Everett Kinstler completó este vibrante retrato de Ford en 1996, dos años antes de que ella y su esposo recibieran la Medalla de Oro del Congreso. Kinstler también pintó el retrato de Gerald Ford para la Casa Blanca y el que figura en la exposición Presidentes de Estados Unidos de la National Portrait Gallery.
Provenance
The artist; gift 1997 to NPG
Place
United States\California\Riverside\Rancho Mirage
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Everett Raymond Kinstler
