Art in the White House

The White House's art collection, sometimes also called the White House Collection or Pride of the American Nation,[1] has grown over time from donations from descendants of the Founding Fathers to commissions by established artists.

[2] It comprises paintings, sculptures, and other art forms.

[3] At times, the collection grows from a president's specific request, such as when Ronald Reagan began collecting the work of naval artist Tom Freeman in 1986, a tradition that continued through the Obama years.

[4] The White House's Art collection was established by an Act of Congress in 1961 and grew extensively during the Kennedy Administration.

[6] As of 2021, there are more than 500 pieces on view under the care of the White House Curator and the White House Historical Association,[7] and these are often complemented by those on loan from museums.