Sunrise, Washington, D.C., 20 January 2009, Barack Obama’s First Inauguration

William Van Doren, DAWN DAY ONE. Sunrise, Washington, D.C., from Lee Custis Mansion, Arlington, Va. Oil on linen, 36 x 48.

This seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the presidential inauguration that took place eight years ago. Laura and I attended Barack Obama’s first inauguration, having scored tickets for one of the not-too-far-away sections from our newly elected congressman. We would have been there in any case, but the trip was also planned so that I could make sketches for a series of paintings of that day’s sunrise and sunset over Washington, paintings I finished in the ensuing weeks and which I hope can be shown again this year in a gallery exhibition. Prints of three of the most representative paintings are still available here; a small album from the day can be found on my Facebook art page; and there’s a slide show on this site of 21 paintings in the collection.