George W. Rembrandt

The big news in the always busy political art arena is that George W. Bush's sister recently had her e-mail account hacked.  Okay, that wasn't news.  But in her account were e-mails from George, which happened to include images of paintings he created.

The New York Times had an interesting little piece on the First Painter.  I found it to be a somewhat honest and fair critique of his art (not his politics) -- as fair as can be expected from the Grey Lady when discussing the former president.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The two paintings could be said to depict the introverted self-absorption for which Mr. Bush is known. Perhaps, he is trying to cleanse himself in a more metaphorical way, seeking a kind of redemption from his less fortuitous decisions as president.

 At the same time, whatever is going on psychologically, the paintings suggest a man, a painter at ease with his body. He gets some credit for directing his gaze at himself, rather than at the more conventional female nude that is many amateur painters’ first choice."

Self-absorption?  Cleanse himself?  Or perhaps he was trying to show that he has nothing to hide.  At any rate, I wouldn't be surprised if many on the other side of the former president politically, now find him a whole lot more intriguing and -- dare I say? -- likable.