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Nixon's Palace Guard

Nixon
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Dennis Wheeler, born 1935
Sitter
John Daniel Ehrlichman, 20 Mar 1925 - 14 Feb 1999
Harry Robbins Haldeman, 1926 - 1993
Henry Kissinger, 27 May 1923 - 29 Nov 2023
John Newton Mitchell, 15 Sep 1913 - 9 Nov 1988
Richard Milhous Nixon, 9 Jan 1913 - 22 Apr 1994
Date
1970
Type
Collage
Medium
Cut paper and photographs on paperboard
Dimensions
Image/Board: 64.5 × 50.5 × 1.9 cm (25 3/8 × 19 7/8 × 3/4")
Topic
Symbols & Motifs\Seal\Great Seal of the United States
John Daniel Ehrlichman: Male
John Daniel Ehrlichman: Law and Crime\Lawyer
John Daniel Ehrlichman: Literature\Writer
John Daniel Ehrlichman: Law and Crime\Criminal
John Daniel Ehrlichman: Politics and Government\Government official\Presidential Aide
John Newton Mitchell: Male
John Newton Mitchell: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\US Attorney General
John Newton Mitchell: Politics and Government\Campaign director
Harry Robbins Haldeman: Male
Harry Robbins Haldeman: Law and Crime\Criminal
Harry Robbins Haldeman: Politics and Government\Chief of Staff
Harry Robbins Haldeman: Politics and Government\Government official\Presidential Aide
Richard Milhous Nixon: Male
Richard Milhous Nixon: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Literature\Writer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Richard Milhous Nixon: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\President of US
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\US Senator\California
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\US Congressman\California
Henry Kissinger: Male
Henry Kissinger: Education and Scholarship\Educator
Henry Kissinger: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Business executive
Henry Kissinger: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger: Nobel Prize
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Dennis Wheeler
Object number
NPG.78.TC646
Exhibition Label
This Time magazine cover artwork introduces several key players in the Watergate scandal. The accompanying story describes “a palace guard” that “has separated Nixon from realities.” It outlines how President Richard Nixon had secretly moved military forces into Cambodia to support U.S. military efforts in Vietnam. The article observes, “He set off angry charges that he is too isolated from many sections of American opinion.”
Based on the Great Seal of the United States, this portrait features Nixon’s photograph collaged on the head of the eagle. The lower portion is split into photographs of (left to right): Henry Kissinger (national security advisor), John N. Mitchell (attorney general), John Ehrlichman (domestic affairs aide), and H. R. “Bob” Haldeman (chief of staff).
With the exception of Kissinger, the figures composing the “guard” eventually were found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and other charges after the Watergate break-in.
Esta portada de la revista Time presenta a varias de las figuras clave del escándalo de Watergate. La historia que la acompaña describe “una guardia palaciega” que “ha separado a Nixon de la realidad”. Esta resalta cómo el presidente Richard Nixon ha enviado en secreto fuerzas militares a Camboya para respaldar los esfuerzos militares de Estados Unidos en Vietnam. Asimismo, señala: “ha provocado airadas acusaciones de estar demasiado aislado de muchas secciones de la opinión estadounidense”.
Este retrato, basado en el Gran Sello de los Estados Unidos, presenta un collage de la fotografía de Nixon sobre la cabeza del águila. La sección inferior está dividida en fotografías de (de izquierda a derecha): Henry Kissinger (consejero de seguridad nacional), John N. Mitchell (procurador general), John Ehrlichman (asistente de asuntos internos) y H. R. “Bob” Haldeman (jefe de gabinete). Con el tiempo, a excepción de Kissinger, las figuras que conforman la “guardia” fueron halladas culpables de conspiración, obstrucción de la justicia y otros cargos tras el robo de Watergate.
Collection Description
In 1978, Time magazine donated approximately eight hundred works of original cover art to the National Portrait Gallery. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of individuals who have shaped the United States, and the Time Collection—featuring prominent international figures and events—enriches our understanding of the United States in a global context.
En 1978, la revista Time donó a la National Portrait Gallery cerca de 800 obras de arte originales creadas para sus portadas. Nuestro museo se dedica a narrar la historia de figuras que han contribuido a forjar el desarrollo de Estados Unidos, y es así que la Colección Time, que incluye retratos de importantes personalidades internacionales, nos ayuda a comprender mejor a nuestra nación en un contexto global.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view