WASHINGTON – For over 40 years, sketches by the famous American illustrator Norman Rockwell adorned the walls of the White House’s West Wing, where every president from Jimmy Carter to Donald Trump had a chance to admire them.
Now, these iconic sketches are going on public display for the first time ever, thanks to a nonprofit organization that purchased them for an astonishing $7 million. This acquisition came after a family dispute over the ownership of the artworks led to their auction.
The four sketches, created in the 1940s and titled “So You Want to See the President!”, capture a diverse range of people waiting to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. They showcase U.S. senators, military members, press representatives, and even a Miss America, all in the West Wing reception area, eager to enter the Oval Office.
Stuart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, emphasized the importance of preserving these sketches for future generations. “We wanted the American people to see them,” he remarked, highlighting their historical significance. The sketches will be on display until June 2027 at the association’s education center, “The People’s House,” located near the White House.
These sketches were initially a gift from Rockwell to Stephen Early, Roosevelt’s press secretary. After appearing in the Saturday Evening Post in November 1943, they were displayed in Early’s West Wing office and remained there for decades. In 1978, they were officially turned over to the White House, where they stayed for over 40 years.
The ownership dispute began in 2017 when a grandson of Early discovered the sketches displayed in the White House while watching a television interview with President Trump. The legal battle over the sketches ended with a federal appeals court ruling in favor of William Elam III, who then put them up for sale.
Historians at the White House Historical Association have been busy researching the individuals depicted in the sketches to share their stories with the public. The exhibit will also feature a digital component, utilizing modern technology to bring these historical figures to life.
Looking ahead, there are discussions about the future of the sketches after the exhibit concludes. They may travel to other venues or potentially return to the White House. McLaurin expressed concern that the sketches could have sold for an even higher price, making their acquisition for $7.25 million a significant achievement for the nonprofit organization.
In McLaurin’s words, “In our view, these are priceless works,” underscoring the cultural and historical value these sketches hold for the American public.
