Opinion: National Portrait Gallery’s halo for Eunice Kennedy Shriver

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The death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver brings to mind a lovely gesture this spring by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. In May the gallery unveiled what you see above, ‘Rare Halo Display: A Portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver,’ by David Lenz.

At the time, Martin E. Sullivan, director of the museum, said in a statement: ‘Mrs. Shriver’s founding of Special Olympics has provided people who are intellectually disabled opportunities to thrive in our society. Her efforts have transformed the lives of individuals worldwide; millions of athletes in 180 countries participate annually in Special Olympics games.’

It was the first portrait commissioned by the museum of an individual who has not served as a president or first lady.

-- Steve Padilla