Portrait of VP Walter Mondale

This fundraising campaign is to help create the first oil portrait of VP Walter Mondale for the Minnesota Historical Society. No portrait painting of Mr. Mondale exists at the Capitol or Minnesota Museum Collections.

VP Mondale is one of the most distinguished Minnesota politicians. His contributions to Minnesota and the Nation are extensive, and he led an exemplary life dedicated to public service.

The portrait measures 36" x 48" and is painted on a specially prepared linen canvas. The time-tested oil technique dated back to the Renaissance and was used by Leonardo da Vinci to create his famous chiaroscuro approach to light and shade. This refined technique is perfect for capturing the spirit of the portrait.

A preparatory sketch is ready, and preparations for the painting have begun. Several detailed studies are needed to complete the portrait in the next few months.

These are the costs for the portrait.

Official portrait frame suitable for the State Capitol and Minnesota History Center $12,500

Oil portrait includes all materials, hand-ground oil paints, linen canvas. $50,000

Signed prints of the portrait $ 3,000

Gofundme Handling Fee $ 1,965

Total $67,465

We are asking the community to contribute to the making of the portrait as it honors Vice President Mondale and his contributions to Minnesota and the Nation. Donations of $100 or more will receive a signed 5 x 7 print of the completed portrait.

"As Senior Curator of Art at The Minnesota Historical Society, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Mark Balma and his proposal to create a portrait of the late Walter Mondale. Based on Mark's past portraits and our discussions about what a possible Mondale portrait might look like, I can say with confidence that I would happily recommend the finished painting to the acquisition committee and appropriate administrative staff for inclusion into our permanent fine art collection."

Brian Szott, Senior Curator of Art