The White House in Springtime
Kamil Kubik was born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia, in 1930. He defected in 1948 due to communist oppression and the takeover of the country. As an artist, he was known for street scenes, cityscapes, and flowers. He often painted outdoors and in nature. He became the official artist for the White House during the term of George H.W. Bush, and his paintings were featured on the White House Christmas cards in 1991 and 1992.
This painting was done in an impressionist style and featured President George H.W. and First Lady Barbara Bush strolling leisurely on the front lawn. A child skips happily towards a black and white dog, presumably Millie, running towards the group. There is a sense of calm and warmth as birds hang airly in the bright blue sky with light, swirling puffs of white clouds. The iconic house stands broadly in the middle of the painting, anchoring the surrounding trees of various deep greens that contrast beautifully with the pink and white bushes that are exploding with springtime energy.
Barbara Bush, who had Czech heritage herself, was a great patron of Kubik, and the Bushes owned some of his works.
ARTIST
Kamil Kubik
TITLE
The White House in Springtime
DATE
1991-1992
MEDIUM
Print signed Serigraph
DIMENSIONS
Width 20” x Height 16”. (50.80 cm x 40.64cm)
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Bill and Effie Rosene
CURRENT LOCATION
Czech Center Museum
4920 San Jacinto St.
Houston, TX 77004
Prague Hall
ACCESSION NUMBER
PU13
CLASSIFICATION
PROVENANCE
The piece was acquired through the Czech Center Museum Houston by Effie & Bill Rosene.