The Honorable Vernal Riffe Jr., Former Speaker of the House, Ohio State House, Columbus, Ohio 2017

Daniel Greene painted this portrait of The Honorable Vernal Riffe Jr. at the Ohio State House in Columbus, Ohio. This kind of official portrait has a long history in Western art as a way of solidifying power and authority. Note the way the composition and the details of the setting all focus on the Speaker. His sober expression, the suit, the gavel, and the formal setting combine to create an impression of dignified leadership. We can imagine that this portrait was commissioned by a committee keen to create a lasting symbol of his time in office. Historical archives and institutional records would help us understand the work of this committee. They might also allow us to explore the changing politics of Ohio that produced and were, in turn, shaped by the Speaker's work.