Michigan State Capitol's Portrait Collection

The Michigan State Capitol’s portrait collection contains paintings of former Michigan governors, justices, and legislators. Due to the chronological nature of our portraits, the collection serves as an art historical record of cultural and political concerns from the early nineteenth century to today. Though the collection is intimately tied to Michigan history, a closer study of the artwork and its artists reveals a wealth of national and international connections. Many of the Capitol’s portrait artists studied across America and Europe, drawing inspiration from their contemporaries and the masters who preceded them.

While the collection aids in informing visitors about previous state leaders – including their political affiliations, greatest achievements, and values – viewers are also encouraged to pause before each portrait and allow the artwork to speak for itself. Beyond subject and symbolism, the artistic elements and styles used place the collection within a larger narrative. In this way, the Michigan State Capitol portrait collection is a uniquely valuable subset of American art history.