Edith Bolling Galt Wilson
1924
Painted in 1924 by Emil Alexay-Olexák, this portrait shows Edith Bolling Galt Wilson looking every bit the elegant First Lady in a shimmering white satin gown and pearl necklace. She holds a small bouquet of red roses, a classic symbol of romance, which contrasts with her rather formidable political legacy. After her husband Woodrow Wilson suffered a severe stroke, she essentially became the 'Secret President,' controlling all information and access to him for months. The realistic style captures her soft features, but history tells us there was a steel will behind that gentle smile.