Yale Law School Accepted Donation for Clarence Thomas Portrait Five Years Ago and Never Commissioned It
Yale Law School Receives Donation for Clarence Thomas Portrait
It’s not every day that a law school receives a donation for a portrait of a Supreme Court justice, but that’s exactly what happened in the spring of 2018 when Texas billionaire Harlan Crow donated funds to Yale Law School for a portrait of his friend, Justice Clarence Thomas.
Why Clarence Thomas?
Justice Thomas is a controversial figure in American politics, known for his conservative views and his role in the confirmation hearings of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Despite this, he has a long and distinguished career in the legal profession, and his portrait will be a valuable addition to the Yale Law School collection.
The Importance of Portraits
Portraits have long been an important part of legal tradition, serving as a way to honor and remember those who have made significant contributions to the field. They also serve as a reminder of the history and legacy of the institution, and the individuals who have shaped it over time.
The Future of Legal Education
As Yale Law School continues to expand its collection of portraits and other artifacts, it is clear that the institution is committed to preserving the history and legacy of the legal profession. This dedication to tradition and excellence is what sets Yale Law School apart, and ensures that it will continue to be a leader in legal education for years to come.
- Key Takeaways:
- Yale Law School received a donation from Harlan Crow for a portrait of Justice Clarence Thomas.
- Portraits are an important part of legal tradition, serving as a way to honor and remember those who have made significant contributions to the field.
- Yale Law School’s commitment to tradition and excellence ensures that it will continue to be a leader in legal education.
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The Missing Portrait of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Yale Law School received a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a gift from a donor in 2013. However, five years later, students and faculty members say they’ve never seen it, and certainly not displayed in a place of prominence.
The portrait exists. Yale commissioned the New York City-based artist Jacob Collins to paint it, and Collins told the Washington Free Beacon that, according to his records, the portrait was being framed in March 2019 and that he believes it was delivered to the school shortly thereafter. Yale acknowledged his gift with a letter of thanks.
In an April 2018 letter to the donor, Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken thanked him for the gift and described Thomas, a 1974 graduate of the law school, as a “trailblazer.” “We are so pleased to welcome the justice to our outstanding gallery of portraits,” Gerken wrote. “They will always have a place of prominence at Yale Law School.”
It’s unclear why the portrait has not been displayed, but some speculate that it may be due to Thomas’ controversial views and his contentious confirmation hearing in 1991.
Where is Clarence Thomas’s Portrait at Yale Law School?
Yale Law School has yet to unveil the portrait of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, despite it being commissioned and paid for in 2018. The portrait was meant to join the pantheon of paintings that adorn the walls of the law school, which honors its founders, distinguished graduates, and professors. However, the portrait’s whereabouts remain unknown, and the school has not responded to requests for comment.
Controversial Relationship with Alma Mater
Thomas has had a contentious relationship with his alma mater, writing in his autobiography about his feeling that a Yale Law School degree “meant one thing for white graduates and another for blacks.” In recent years, though, he has visited the school and called his resentments “juvenile.”
Portrait Unveilings at Yale Law School
Dozens of portraits adorn the walls of Yale Law School, which fall into two categories: those that are automatically displayed and those that are displayed by the dean’s discretion. The former includes alumni or faculty members who have served as president of the United States, justices of the Supreme Court, or chief judge of one of the circuit courts—a category that should include Thomas.
All portraits, aside from those of former deans, must be commissioned with outside funding, and Crow in 2018 provided the $105,000 to fund Thomas’s portrait after Yale Law School professor George Priest worked to repair Thomas’s relationship with the school and helped to persuade the justice to sit for the portrait’s painting.
Typically, the university has marked portrait unveilings with celebratory events. The school in 2017 held such an event for the unveiling of Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s portrait, which now hangs in the law school’s largest classroom.
Portrait’s Absence
Prior to Crow’s gift, the Yale Daily News noted the absence of Thomas’s portrait. A 2005 report reads: “The walls of the law school display portraits of past Supreme Court justices affiliated with Yale—William Howard Taft, William Douglas, Byron White, Abe Fortas, and Potter Stewart—but Thomas’s portrait is conspicuously absent.”
Conclusion
Despite the controversy surrounding Thomas’s relationship with Yale Law School, his portrait should be displayed alongside those of other Supreme Court justices who graduated from the school. It remains to be seen when the portrait will be unveiled and whether the school will hold a celebratory event for its unveiling.
Discover the Legacy of Clarence Thomas and Yale Law School
Explore the fascinating intersection of law and history with our in-depth coverage of Clarence Thomas and Yale Law School. From Thomas’s groundbreaking legal career to Yale’s prestigious reputation, we delve into the stories and people that have shaped the legal landscape of America.
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Join us on this journey of discovery and gain a deeper understanding of the impact that Clarence Thomas and Yale Law School have had on the world of law.
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