Photograph
Eisenhower pauses for the camera as he works on a painting of his daughter-in-law Barbara and
grand children David, Anne, and Susan, August 1, 1954.
NARA- Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene 71 - 906 - 17, ENHS 3160

Eisenhower as Painter
In 1948 Dwight D. Eisenhower took brush in hand and began painting. He enjoyed painting as a form of relaxation and he would often find time in his schedule to paint.  In the last 20 years of his life he completed more than 260 paintings giving many to family and friends. Some of his paintings were used to make prints to give as Christmas gifts to White House staff members and friends. Sometimes the president would present “Paint by Number” kits to visitors to the Oval Office. At his Gettysburg home, the porch became his painting studio.