The over-life size portrait of Sam Rayburn by Texas artist Tom Lea was given to the House in 1966 to commemorate the former Speaker in the new office building named for him. The artist—who was well-known for his varied work as a muralist, illustrator, World War II artist correspondent, and studio artist—based the posthumous portrait on one of Rayburn’s favorite photographs. It was one of only two commissions that the artist accepted during his career; the other subject was Mexican president Benito Juarez. Lea stated that he agreed to paint these particular subjects because “both I revered as wise men and good men.”
History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, “Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn,” http://history.house.gov/Collection/Detail/29721 (January 05, 2013)
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