βCupcake Katyβ, via the National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonianβs National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1962 to display portraits of individuals who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the United States. Its collection is distinguished and replete with iconic pieces: John Trumbullβs bust of Alexander Hamilton, Alexander Gardnerβs glass-plate photograph of Abraham Lincoln, Gilbert Stuartβs Lansdowne portrait of George Washington.
And, as of today, an oil painting of pop singer Katy Perry.
βCupcake Katy,β a recent acquisition, went on view this morning. Completed in 2010, the oil-on-linen portrait by the artist Will Cotton depicts the entertainer in a mini-dress resembling a foil-and-paper baking cup, wearing a peppermint tiara and holding a hard-candy scepter.Β Kim Sajet, the galleryβs director, proposes that the image brings to mind traditional French portraiture. (I myself choose to believe that 18th-century belles would have longer dresses and better desserts.)Β
What we honor shows what we value, and it’s telling that the singer of such hits as βHot n Coldβ and βCalifornia Gurlsβ (each, admittedly, selling over 4 million digital copies in the United States alone) is today given pride of place alongside presidents, generals, and other nation-shaping figures from Americaβs past.Β
According to its website, The National Portrait Gallery βtells the history of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture [β¦] The Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story.β
Is Perry a poet, visionary, or villain? I wonβt speculate here. In any case, her portrait is on view at the National Portrait Gallery from June 18 through July 6. Β
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“Cupcake Katy” will be on view at the National Portrait Gallery starting June 18 through July 6. 202-633-8300.Β Β http://www.npg.si.edu/