The background colors are red, white and blue; the face is pensive and deeply etched. It is the official face of Lyndon Baines Johnson, painted by New Mexico Artist Peter Hurd, 62, for the White House Historical Association and destined to hang in the East Wing. Hurd sketched L.B.J. on the wing, whenever he could, but mainly had to work from photographs. "He's a chair-fighter. You can't get him to sit still," the artist complained. Despite the difficulties, it was a rewarding job. "President Johnson has a very paintable face," said Hurd. "What I would call Texas Roman."
After a TV appearance,...