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John F. Kennedy Bust
by Felix de Weldon
In early 1963, Mr. Felix de Weldon was chosen by
Jacqueline Kennedy and a leader of each branch of the Armed Forces
to produce the sculptural portrait of President Kennedy that was
to be a featured item in the Kennedy Library. In truth, there did
not seem to be any question that Mr. de Weldon was clearly the choice
for this major project, as it is fair to say that the artist has
been accorded more honors than any other sculptor of the twentieth
century.
The Creation of President John F. Kennedy
Sculptural Bust
In the spring of 1963, Felix de Weldon began his work on the Kennedy
bust. The work was being created from life, as the president posed
in the White House. The work was nearing completion when the tragic
events of November 1963 occurred. The nearly finished sculpture
was removed to de Weldon’s studio where the artist was encouraged
to complete the effort. Jacqueline Kennedy and Dave Powers visited
de Weldon during the post-assassination days, adding their input
that would help the work truly capture the essence of the late President.
Ultimately, the de Weldon bust was unveiled at the then recently
established Kennedy Library where Jacqueline Kennedy went from tears
to an obvious moment of pride, touching the lips of the sculpture
and telling the audience how it so captured the essence of her late
husband. According to Powers, then Director of the Kennedy Library,
the work reminded him of how the President looked upon hearing “Hail
to the Chief”
Felix de Weldon
Felix de Weldon, with more than 2,000 monumental works throughout
the world (including in Antarctica where his rendering of Admiral
Byrd makes a strong and unique statement), has served his adopted
country like no other artist.
Although 33 of de Weldon’s works are on public display in
prominent places throughout Washington, D.C., it was de Weldon’s
Marine Corps Memorial (universally referred to as The Flag Raising
on Iwo Jima) that forever cemented the artist’s position in
history. Celebrated in 1995 on the Fiftieth Anniversary of Iwo Jima,
Felix de Weldon was honored by President Clinton who described the
Iwo Jima sculpture as one of the most significant in this nation’s
history.
President Clinton was not the first President to honor the noted
artist. During the presidency of Harry S. Truman, Felix de Weldon
was named Commissioner of Fine Arts for the nation and was given
the task of supervising the architectural renovation of the White
House. It was President Dwight d. Eisenhower who dedicated de Weldon’s
Marine Corpse Memorial while commissioning de Weldon to produce
two other monumental works. Indeed, the artist remained Commissioner
of Fine Arts through the administrations of President Dwight D.
Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy. In the post-Kennedy, modern
era, President Reagan dedicated 18 monuments by Felix de Weldon
who further received honors from President Bush.
Recognition of de Weldon’s achievements were
not limited to our shores, as among the many honors bestowed on
the artist internationally are Knighthood of Great Britain and the
title of Baron in Italy. Works by de Weldon not only are on permanent
display in the White House and the U.S. Capitol, but in Buckingham
Palace as well. With works of de Weldon’s appearing on postage
stamps and the currency of many of the nations of the globe, the
recognition of being the world’s preeminent representational
sculptor is easily understandable.
 Lyndon
B. Johnson , Felix de Weldon, Unveiling Ceremony of the John F.
Kennedy Bust
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