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Conversation 596-016

TapeTape 596StartTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 12:54 PMEndTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 12:56 PMTape start time02:38:44Tape end time02:40:51ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Mitchell engage in a brief, informal discussion focused on the aesthetics of portraiture displayed within the White House. The conversation centers on the President's critique of specific photographs and paintings, particularly his dissatisfaction with a bland portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower currently in the Cabinet Room. Nixon expresses a clear preference for portraits that preserve facial character and requests that the current depiction be replaced with a better-lit version seen at the Kennedy Center.

White House decorPortraitureDwight D. EisenhowerAestheticsPresidential preferences
AudioNARA Description

On October 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:54 pm to 12:56 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 596-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 596-16

Date: October 19, 1971
Time: 12:54 pm - 12:56 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with John N. Mitchell.

[See Conversation No. 11-131]
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Well, of course, he did that from a photograph.
But don't you think that's excellent?
Well, I think it is.
I mean, that's good.
I like it.
I also like that foot you were making in the dining room.
And that was done for pictures.
That was good.
One thing I was going to say is that I don't think this picture of Eisenhower in the cabinet room is much good.
It really isn't one of the better ones.
I think the one they had down there at the Kennedy Center is definitely better.
And I would like to get that one.
I'm here to get this change.
In other words, it has more light.
I have more light.
Maybe the fire is going to come on.
Boy, I can't do that.
I don't like this.
I'm stupid.
I don't care for this one either.
It's bland.
I don't like anything that takes all my character out of a person's face.
I don't like pictures.
I like movie pictures where they take every character line out of a person's face.
Do you see a ghost on the floor now?
Is that a ghost?
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