Portraits of Courage at the Truman Presidential Library

PORTRAITS OF COURAGE: A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S WARRIORS on display at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library thru Dec. 31, 2022

What to Know Before You Go:

• Advance tickets are not required for Museum admission but may be purchased here.
• For this special exhibition, free tickets for U.S. veterans and Active Military are available onsite at Visitor Services. Please provide proof of military service for complimentary admission.
• Truman Library Institute Member Benefits include free admission to Portraits of Courage. If reserving tickets online, please scroll through ticket types to “Truman Library Institute Membership.” Members will be asked to provide proof of membership at Visitor Services prior to entering the galleries.
• Download the Portraits of Courage app for a guide to experience the exhibit.

This year, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum is hosting Portraits of Courage, an exhibit of paintings by former President George W. Bush depicted wounded veterans. We recently experienced the exhibit firsthand.

Portraits of Courage, appropriately titled and subtitled a Commander-In-Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors invites visitors to get to know America's heroes. Each portrait, respectfully painted by President Bush, tells the story of each veteran - each one someone President Bush has come to know.

The exhibit begins with a short film as President Bush tells the story of his painting journey and how he began this project, painting portraits of wounded warriors.

Some of the portraits are profiles, some portray the veterans enjoying favorite moments from golf to tender memories with their children, all capturing the integrity and character of the individual. 

Since leaving office, President Bush has pursued art under the tutelage of three art teachers. The exhibit includes one piece from each of the three teachers (including a portrait of President Bush), and their influence is evident in the work. 

The exhibit features sixty-six full-color portraits, and a four-panel mural depicting 98 service members and veterans who have served in the American military since 9/11. Through his work with the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, the President has come to know these veterans personally since leaving office.

Visitors are encouraged to download the free app (Portraits of Courage in the app store) and use it to learn the personal story of each warrior depicted, all personally written by President Bush. These powerful stories help visitors understand and get to know the veterans and better understand their service to our country, their bravery, their journey to recovery, their continued leadership, and their role as civilians.

In addition to the app, you'll find copies of President Bush's book Portraits of Courage, which also features the paintings and the stories of each veteran. These are useful resources to learn more about each veteran as well.

As we explored the exhibit, I was moved by the artwork. President Bush's respect and honor for each veteran is evident in the way he carefully painted each piece and told each story. This is a tremendous way to pay respect to those who served in the American Armed Forces.

You'll see photographs of golf tournaments and special events honoring their service and raising awareness.

One particularly important aspect of the exhibit is the use of presentations to help understand the challenges our veterans face and replace the stigmas surrounding PTSD, physical disabilities, and the challenges many of them face. Information and resources created by the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative help educate visitors in how to better support post-9/11 veterans. After years of work alongside veterans and respected professionals and experts, the institute offers many resources to help bridge the military-civilian divide.

Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors is a collection of portraits by President George W. Bush on loan from the Ambassador and Mrs. George L. Arygros Collection of Presidential Art at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative is focused on helping veterans and their families.