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Secret reference in Bill Clinton portrait

An American artist has revealed one of his most well known paintings makes reference to an infamous scandal.

Nelson Shanks' painting of Bill Clinton hangs in The Smithsonian National Gallery, along with many other portraits of famous American leaders.


At first glance, it is not easy to see the subtle easter egg shape that shadows Clinton’s right hand side.

But Shanks has now revealed it is a veiled reference to the affair between the former US President and White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Monica Lewinsky meets with President Clinton. Source: Getty
Monica Lewinsky meets with President Clinton. Source: Getty

"I could never get this Monica thing completely out of my mind and it is subtly incorporated in the painting," he said in an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News.

"It actually literally represents a shadow from a blue dress that I had on a mannequin, that I had there while I was painting it, but not when he was there.

"It is also a bit of a metaphor in that it represents a shadow on the office he held, or on him."

The Clintons have reportedly demanded the painting be removed from the gallery.