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Justice Douglas Strikes a Pose

Supreme Court Justices have been portrait subjects since the Court’s inception, although an oil portrait collection was not started at the Court until the late 19th century. While some works were completed using a reference image or earlier likeness, many others were painted from life. On January 23, 1964, Justice William O. Douglas posed for a final sitting with portrait artist Elias Kanarek. In his official portrait, the Justice is seated, dressed in judicial robes, and holding a copy of History of the Formation of the Union Under the Constitution by Sol Bloom. Captured during the Justice’s 25th year on the Court, Kanarek’s oil painting was unveiled in May 1977, following Justice Douglas’s retirement. This painting is one of over 100 official portraits of Justices featured within the Court’s collection.