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Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
David Lenz, born 14 Aug 1962
Sitter
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 10 Jul 1921 - 11 Aug 2009
Date
2009
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 91.8 x 178.4cm (36 1/8 x 70 1/4")
Frame: 113.7 x 199.4 x 9.5cm (44 3/4 x 78 1/2 x 3 3/4")
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Necklace
Exterior\Landscape\Coastal\Beach
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Female
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Social reformer
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Activist\Civil rights activist
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Commissioned as part of the First Prize, Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2006
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Object number
NPG.2009.11
Exhibition Label
Born Brookline, Massachusetts
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was the creative force and organizer of Special Olympics, Inc., a nonprofit charitable organization that provides training and competition in Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. In 1962, she established a summer day camp at her home that became the basis for Special Olympics. In 1968, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, working with the Chicago Park District, organized the First International Special Olympics Summer Games. Currently, the Special Olympics serves more than 4.9 million children and adults from nearly 172 countries.
David Lenz was commissioned to paint this portrait as part of the first prize in the museum’s inaugural Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Lenz embraced the idea of making a portrait of Eunice Shriver that would also include five persons with intellectual disabilities who have been involved in Special Olympics and in the Best Buddies program: (left to right) Airika Straka, Katie Meade, Andy Leonard, Loretta Claiborne, and Martin “Marty” Sheets.
Nacida en Brookline, Massachusetts
Eunice Kennedy Shriver fue la fuerza creadora y organizadora de Special Olympics, Inc., una organización benéfica sin fines de lucro que ofrece entrenamiento y oportunidades de competir en deportes de estilo olímpico a niños y adultos con discapacidades intelectuales. En 1962 Shriver estableció en su residencia un campamento diurno de verano que fue la base para las Olimpiadas Especiales. En 1968 la Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, en colaboración con el Distrito de Parques de Chicago, organizó las primeras Olimpiadas Especiales Internacionales de Verano. Actualmente, Special Olympics ofrece servicios a más de 4.9 millones de niños y adultos en unos 172 países.
David Lenz recibió el encargo de pintar este retrato como parte del primer premio en la edición inaugural del Certamen de Retratos Outwin Boochever de la National Portrait Gallery. Lenz acogió la idea de hacer un retrato de Eunice Shriver que también incluyera a cinco personas con discapacidades intelectuales que hubieran participado en las Olimpiadas Especiales y el programa Best Buddies: (de izquierda a derecha) Airika Straka, Katie Meade, Andy Leonard, Loretta Claiborne y Martin “Marty” Sheets.
Provenance
Commissioned 2006; NPG purchased from artist 2009
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
The Struggle for Justice Refresh
On View
NPG, West Gallery 220