Trump Portrait Criticized by Trump... British Painter Says "Livelihood at Risk"

British Artist: "Completed Without Distortion or Bias"
Severe Impact on Business After Trump's Harsh Criticism

A British artist who painted a portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump and received harsh criticism from President Trump has complained that the controversy has caused irreparable damage to her business. On the 6th (local time), British daily The Guardian and other foreign media reported that British artist Sarah Boardman spoke out for the first time since the portrait controversy to explain her position.

Last month, President Trump criticized on Truth Social that his portrait hanging in the Colorado State Capitol was deliberately distorted and suggested that the artist seemed to have lost their talent due to old age. AP·Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 23rd of last month, President Trump posted on social media, "Everyone dislikes unflattering photos or paintings, but my portrait, which hung alongside other presidents in the Colorado State Capitol, was deliberately distorted," adding, "Boardman must have lost her talent as she got older. It would be better to remove this portrait." In particular, President Trump expressed dissatisfaction, saying that former President Obama's portrait was great, but his own portrait was the worst. This portrait had been displayed since 2019. However, following President Trump's criticism, the Colorado legislature removed it.

After criticism from President Trump, the Colorado state legislature removed it. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News Agency

The artist who painted the portraits of President Trump and former President Barack Obama is British artist Sarah Boardman. She explained that the Colorado State Capitol advisory committee commissioned the portrait and approved the work process, and that she completed the work accurately according to the contract, stating, "There was no intentional distortion or political bias." Especially after Trump's criticism escalated the controversy, Sarah Boardman emphasized, "I completed the (Trump) portrait accurately without any attempt to satirize the subject." She added, "While President Trump has the right to comment, his remarks that I deliberately distorted the subject or lost my talent due to aging have cast doubt on my intentions, sincerity, and ability."

She further claimed, "This is having a direct and negative impact on my business, which has been ongoing for 41 years," and warned, "There is a risk that the damage may be irreparable." She also noted that during the six years the painting was exhibited, it "received overwhelmingly positive reviews and responses," but "the situation has turned worst after President Trump's remarks."