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Janet Yellen to be Immortalized in Portrait by Sharon Sprung
A Historic Collaboration
Sharon Sprung, the Brooklyn artist renowned for painting the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has taken on a new project: portraying U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The 78-year-old Yellen, the first woman to head the Treasury, will join a gallery of male predecessors in the historic Treasury building once the portrait is completed in August.
Sprung and Yellen met at the Treasury Department shortly after the November 5 presidential election to discuss the painting, test lighting, and finalize poses. To ensure accuracy, Sprung even left with a snippet of Yellen’s silver hair to capture its color perfectly.
Celebrating Trailblazing Women
Sharon Sprung has a history of honoring pioneering women through her art. Among her previous works is a portrait of Representative Patsy Mink of Hawaii, the first woman of color and first Asian-American woman elected to Congress. Speaking about her work, Sprung said her goal is to capture the strength and essence of her subjects.
“It’s an honor. It’s scary and it’s an obligation,” Sprung said. “I want to make them as strong as the male portraits.” She described Yellen as “pretty cool” and admired her courage and poise in a predominantly male environment.
Expanding the Narrative of History
Rhea Combs, director of curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, noted the importance of Sprung’s work in broadening historical representation.
“The history of portraiture favored men of privilege,” Combs said. “It is a true pleasure to see more women and artists of color working in the field to diversify the visual narrative of the nation.”
Janet Yellen’s Legacy
Janet Yellen is not only the first woman to lead the Treasury but also the first individual to head all three top economic institutions in the U.S.: the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the White House Council of Economic Advisers.
During an event at the Treasury honoring her lifetime of service, Yellen reflected on her career, stating that she views economics as “a powerful tool to uplift lives and create opportunity.” She shared that she never envisioned heading the Treasury but embraced the role wholeheartedly.
Yellen plans to return to writing after leaving office, possibly at the Brookings Institution, where she previously worked after her tenure at the Federal Reserve.
Anticipating the Portrait
Yellen expressed her confidence in Sprung’s abilities, saying, “Sharon is such a talented artist, and I’m confident she’ll do a great job. I’m looking forward to seeing it when it’s finished.”
The portrait will serve as a lasting tribute to Yellen’s groundbreaking contributions to economic policy and governance.