Colbert's Portrait in the Smithsonian

Art Advocate | 1/24/2008 1:29 pm | Mad Art Scenes

I guess that it's true. I do like The Colbert Report a little more than I like The Daily Show. Maybe it's because Jon Stewart has fallen off a little, but maybe it's because everything that Colbert does is so dead on satirical of loud mouths like Bill O'Reilly and Hannity and Colmes. The faux dignity that Colbert gives himself, the enormous ego, the certainty that he is right especially when he is wrong, all resonates with many people sick of over-inflated ego and self image. It's nice to see it delivered with tongue firmly in cheek.

One of the key pieces of Stephen's ego trip that is his set is his portrait within a portrait within a portrait that hangs over his fireplace in mock grandeur. Recently Colbert has been seeking a place to display the work and after a rejection from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery decided to display the work.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

The admission of the image into the museum may have to do with director Marc Pachter leaving and trying an unorthodox way of getting people into the museum. All the Smithsonian museums have recently been suffering from less visitors than usual and this is a sure fire way to get young and excited visitors (with friends maybe) in a place dryly called The National Portrait Gallery. Of course I would be excited to visit it, but then again I write about art. "The Lede" of the New York Times adds this comment from museum spokesperson Bethany Bentley: "Let me tell you two key things here: His portrait is not coming into the collection, and it's not hanging permanently." I'm guessing some on staff were less than thrilled with the addition.

Below is a link to Comedy Central where you can see Colbert tour the museum with Pachter. It's quite funny, especially when he plays hacky-sack in front of what look to be several Alex Katz paintings.

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