Arnold Schwarzenegger unveils his official portrait
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former California governor who often seemed larger than life, unveiled an immense and striking portrait of himself in the Capitol on Monday.
Photo-realistic in its detail, the painting depicts a smiling Schwarzenegger in front of the governor’s seal. Observers described it as “regal,” “like a movie poster” and, of course, “huge.”
In a speech, Schwarzenegger said, “We were never afraid to dream big. It is in our DNA as Californians.”
The portrait will hang next to the painting of Gov. Gray Davis, who was ousted during the 2003 recall election that brought Schwarzenegger to power.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican who became famous as a bodybuilder and action movie star, described his seven years as governor as “some of the most fulfilling of my life.”
Although he hasn’t been back to the Capitol since Gov. Jerry Brown’s inauguration in January 2011, Schwarzenegger said, “I’ve missed being here many times.”
Follow @chrismegerian for more updates from Sacramento.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
