Elvis' portrait at the National Portrait Gallery
mary hinds
A while back, I came unglued about the fact that, back in the late 80's,
Elvis' portrait was selected for inclusion in the exclusive collection of
America's finest at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. I
promised to go down there and come back to you all with a report.
I saw it, and still have not recovered. But I did not get back to the ng
because I ended up writing a story for Elvis World magazine about it.
Exclusivity is the by-word at Elvis World mag. Well, now that story is
appearing in Elvis World #53, which Bill and Connie Burk are mailing this
weekend.
All I can say is get yourself a copy of the mag. The portrait is on the
cover and it is unbelievably gorgeous. The colors are so rich that it has a
3-d effect. It is of Elvis in a bright red shirt and levis, surrounded by
clouds, with Graceland in the background. And few if any of us fans have
every seen it. The reason is most likely that the artist submitted it to
the Gallery as soon as it was completed in the late 80's, and it is now
owned by the Smithsonian who has never reproduced on post cards, mugs,
tee-shirts and the like.
The portrait in the National Portrait Gallery was made by the same artist
who did the drop-dead beautiful portrait of Elvis in Clouds (white outfit,
clouds around his feet, golden background) that hangs in the Trophy Room at
Graceland. It is the only portrait for which Elvis posed. The one hanging
in the National Portrait Gallery was made from the life sketches used for
Elvis in Clouds.
It is an incredible honor for Elvis to be included in the National Portrait
Gallery. Congress established the gallery as the repository of portraits
and sculpture images of those Americans who made the greatest contributions
to our nation. Folks like Presidents and the like. According to the Senior
Historian at the Gallery, Elvis' acceptance was a slam-dunk. There was no
question about his contributions and importance.
Contact Bill at be...@juno.com for more info on getting a copy. My story is
quite pedestrian. But, oh, that portrait!!!!
Mary H.
Bill Burk
Didn't know you were even thinking of posting this.
An Elvis burger, fries and iced tea at Marlowe's for you when next you are
here in Memphis!
EW53s are in the mail now, going to all 50 US States and into 92 foreign
countries, so starting today (in some parts of the country), Elvis fans will
feast their watery eyes on the most beautiful painting ever done on Elvis
via the front cover of Elvis World #53, which begins our 14th year of
publishing.
And we at EW are giving you, Sane Mary, 100% credit for landing us that
painting. It's our best cover in 13 years and, believe me, we've had some
good front covers.
And the BACK cover ain't bad (inside or outside) because these are 8x10
(A-4) extremely rare color shots from the collection of Robin Rosaaen.
Now, do you want mayo or mustand with that Elvis Burger? I have to alert
Tony since his supplies of M&M are low.
BILL E. BURK / 007
ELVIS WORLD Magazine
mary hinds
May we have a Krispy Kreme twelve pack with that burger?
George (The Poster Formerly Known as Mary H.)
Bill Burk wrote in message <7nidln$9ga$1...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
E.P. Henderson
I just pulled EW #53 out of it's envelope.
GREAT edition and I haven't even opened it yet!
What a beautiful portrait...
Thanks so much:-)
Pauley