An artist from Colorado is countering allegations that she deliberately misrepresented Donald Trump’s features in a portrait that was displayed in the state Capitol until recently. She argues that Trump’s assertions are causing harm to her professional reputation and business.
Sarah Boardman, based in Colorado Springs, faced scrutiny after Trump criticized her portrait as “purposefully distorted” on a social media platform on March 23. Trump further remarked that Boardman’s talent had diminished with age and expressed a preference for the absence of the portrait in Colorado’s Capitol over having the existing one.
The day following Trump’s remarks, legislative leaders made the decision to remove the portrait. By the next morning, it was no longer part of the wall of previous presidents’ portraits and was instead placed in museum storage.
In a statement sent via email on Saturday, Boardman denied having distorted Trump’s image intentionally. She countered Trump’s claims that there were numerous complaints from Colorado about the portrait, stating that she had “received overwhelmingly positive reviews and feedback” during the six years the portrait was displayed in the Capitol.
Since Trump’s comments, however, Boardman has noticed a shift in the reception of her work. “While everyone has the right to express their opinions freely, the unfounded allegations that I deliberately distorted the portrait, along with personal attacks on my abilities, are now causing direct harm to my business of over 41 years, threatening its survival,” she expressed.
Boardman explained that the portrait was commissioned by a Colorado Capitol advisory committee, which also approved the photo reference and her ongoing work on the portrait. “I executed the portrait accurately, avoiding any ‘purposeful distortion,’ political bias, or caricature, either intended or suggested. I completed the task as per my contract,” Boardman stated.
Boardman, who had also painted portraits of former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama for the state Capitol, declared she would not be providing further commentary on the matter. Trump had complimented Obama’s portrait, calling it “wonderful,” while dismissing his own as “truly the worst,” despite it being funded with $10,000 collected by Colorado Republicans.
Paul Lundeen, the Colorado Senate Minority Leader, has advocated for replacing the Trump portrait with one that reflects a more accurate likeness. However, the process to commission a new portrait has yet to be initiated.