PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT UNVEILING
May 21, 2009
 Under a tent on Lehman Lawn, on May 19, the formal portrait of Judith R. Shapiro, Barnard President and Professor of Anthropology Emerita, was unveiled at a reception attended by students, alumnae, faculty, and friends of the recently retired president. Commissioned by the Board of Trustees of the College, the painting is the work of Thomas Loepp, a Wyoming-born artist whose works include a portrait of Chief Justice William Rehnquist that now hangs in the halls of the Supreme Court. Shapiro's portrait will join those of other Barnard leaders now gazing out from the walls of Sulzberger Parlor.
Opening the formalities of a somewhat less than formal afternoon, Board Chair Anna Quindlen briefly offered some light-hearted thoughts on the subject of Barnard leaders' portraits: She noted that Dean Gildersleeve appears cloaked in gloom (perhaps attributable to living with her parents for many of her adult years) while President Futter remains eternally 14 years old in her own portrayal
Wearing the black suit and jewelry (including a large turquoise brooch) in which she posed, President Shapiro was not accompanied by her much-loved poodle, Nora, who was, however, depicted in the painting. Quipped Shapiro, "As they say in Hollywood, the dog stays in the picture." She also spoke of many sittings with the artist who, suffering from a terrible cold, alternated between stretches of painting and resting. "We told each other jokes," she confided, "but none can be repeated here."
Visit Barnard's online photo album to see more photos from the portrait unveiling.
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