Portrait of Stephen: On the move
By
I love that the Smithsonian is getting so much enjoyment out of the National Treasure that is Stephen (and his portrait). Here’s a National Portrait Gallery blog post commemmorating the move:
After almost three months on view at the National Portrait Gallery, Stephen Colbert’s portrait was taken down last week. The stately triple-likeness, located in between the 2nd floor bathrooms and within view of the “America’s Presidents” exhibition, brought in thousands of visitors, including—dare we say—many folks who otherwise would not have visited the Portrait Gallery.
But don’t despair—he didn’t go very far. Colbert’s portrait is now on view in the “Treasures of American History” exhibition, at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. It will be on display until April 13.
. . .
Hee! I have to say I’m relieved to see that it looks like they’re taking a little more care with Stephens portrait than he did when he was moving it around D.C.
Related posts
22 Comments
April 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I love how this picture – right around the eye brows, eyes and nose line – makes him look a little like Sam the Eagle from the Muppet Show. Deliberate? Hmmmmm…..
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
@ somuch2kno:
possibly. I think they’re one in the same. I mean, Sam is an eagle.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
You two are saying his name wrong. As Sam himself would point out, it’s “Sam, the American Eagle.” :)
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I’m so curious to know what they’ll do with it after the 13th. I wonder if it’ll make an appearance in Philly, seeing as the 14th is the first day of shows there.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
@ Lisa: Good call! I bet you you’re right! I didn’t even think of that, but it’s too convienent for them to not do!
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
@ Lisa and truthiness89,
Maybe. But there’s also this to consider.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
@ Ms. I,
I totally forgot about that post…thanks for the reminder. : )
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I thought the same thing about them taking more care with it than Stephen did when he had it strapped to his back running around with it (as hilarious as that was).
Imagine what the portrait over the “fireplace” is going to look like if TCR lasts as long as TDS has!
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
@ Ms I – You’re right! I guess, for some unknown reason, that’s just always struck me as a bit redundant. But in this case, absolutely appropriate.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Am I dreaming that I read a post somewhere claiming that visitors can sign a petition to keep Colbert’s portrait at the Smithsonian?
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Sorry, i tried to clear one of the posts via the new cancel function but, no go.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
looped linear,
I took care of the double post for you.
My guess is that you could sign a petition to do just about anything but, as for the one you’re specifically describing, I’m drawing a blank.
I vaguely recall that people were signing a visitor or guest book at the NPG and that they were leaving messages in support of the portrait’s being accessioned permanently, but I don’t remember anything more organized than that. (I could be wrong, though.)
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
@somuch2kno and @tonks
Now Sam the American Eagle has been bumped up to the top of the list of personalities I would like to see interviewed by Stephen.
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Too bad Thursday’s episode summary isn’t posted. I’m not complaning, I just don’t know where to post about the best show of last week.
I’m so happy Avery Gordon is back! Is he going to Chilidelphia too?
Whoo, made a keyboard fart, this ninja edit is a cool feature, thanks! Time limit is tense, tho. :)
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
@zonkbert,
Okay, WHAT is the deal with Avery? Looks like he has the power to practically rise from the dead, no? That whole situation was just silly — why they couldn’t have just told us what the deal was with “Avery” leaving, or being practically trampled to death and in a coma, is beyond me. Is it really necessary to come up with some ridiculous story, that people actually half believed (including me), about what happened to him…and then folks posting things like, “Dude…Avery’s not real!”
Whatever…I hardly go there anymore anyway. Thanks for letting us know the Colbertnation.com managing entity is back. Sorry to vent…
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
lol @ zonkbert–
A “keyboard fart”? I’ve never heard that phrase before.
@ dustdevil–
It would be so awesome for Stephen to interview ANY of The Muppets, especially Sam The American Eagle (who would be the most likely muppet). Statler and Waldorf- the old men- would be highly entertaining as well.
All of this talk of Muppets makes my mind wonder to that disgustingly cute clip of Jon Stewart singing with Elmo… umm… here:
http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=3257
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I’d so rather see NFZ as the official Colbert site than Colbertnation …
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
@Zonkbert:
It’s in progress, I should have it up before tonight’s show, depending on how my dinner goes with my friend who is coming in from out of town. I’ve been insanely busy, and haven’t had a 2-hour block to work on it. But I will, I promise! :)
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
@Looped Linear and MS I,
I don’t remember hearing about a petition but
I did a report of my pilgrimage to the National Portrait Gallery. In my report, I included a picture and description of a guest book/comment book. I wonder if that is what you are remembering.
http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=3002
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I still love that one entry in the guest book from Jenny K.’s collection of photos from her visit to the Gallery, that says, “Colbert. Yes. James K. Polk out.” LOL!
Reply
April 7th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
@looped linear,
Museums LOVE to hear from visitors.
If you like, email them to express your appreciation for exhibiting Stephen’s portrait at npgexhibitions@si.edu. The director’s name is Carolyn Carr.
And also Brent Glass, director of the National Museum of American History, in which Treasures is displayed, can be requested to make a permanent accession of the portrait. The only email I have for him is info@si.edu.
The NPG received wonderful visitor response to his portrait, leading to the History Museum’s recognition of Stephen as a National Treasure.
If they were to permanently accession, the portrait could become part of their traveling exhibits, and draw an even more exceptional visitor response. Everybody would win.
Reply
April 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Thanks IAMmissAmerica, Jenny K, and Ms I (for the fix ;D) and the info.
I remember now that it was someone on the Colboard who talked about a petition, but I don’t remember where the post was…the trials of geezerdom*eyeroll smiley here*
…gotta keep better track of where i post, too…
Reply