April 5, 2014 - June 3, 2014
The Art of Leadership: A President’s Personal Diplomacy explored the personal and working relationships that President George W. Bush forged with world leaders to shape international policy and advance American interests abroad during the eight pivotal years of his administration. Open from April 5 to June 3, 2014, the exhibit presented, for the first time, President Bush’s post-presidency oil paintings of many of the world leaders.
Jacques Chirac – President of France, 1995-2007
Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - United Arab Emirates
Kim Dae-Jung - President of South Korea, 1998-2003
Tony Blair – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1997-2007
Each portrait was paired with head of state gifts given by the leader to President Bush and significant photographs from the archives. The artifacts reflected the unique cultural heritage of the country, the personal relationship between the leaders, or an important occasion or event they shared, helping to illustrate the stories of relationships formed on the world stage.
For example, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1997-2007, presented President Bush with a tan porcelain Wedgewood bowl with black, embossed floral border and the words "Am I Not A Man and A Brother?" This gift, given in Germany at the G8 Conference in 2007, symbolized the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy engaged visitors with visually arresting portraits, distinctive artifacts, and historic photographs, and allowed them to examine one-on-one international leadership from a viewpoint rarely, if ever, explored.
