Washington sees surge in portrait business

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- As the Bush presidency nears its end, some fiscal watchdogs say dignitaries should be remembered with a photograph rather than an expensive portrait.

As each administration ends, the hand-painted portrait business surges with top-level political appointees aiming to preserve their images for posterity, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

In an examination of 30 portrait contracts, most awarded without competitive bidding, the Post said it found costs ranging from $7,500 to nearly $50,000, including a $19,000 contract for a portrait of Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, head of the Food and Drug Administration.

To save money, government agencies should photograph lesser-known officials, said Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.

"I think most people like the tradition of presidents having their portraits painted," Alexander told the Post. "But where does the line get drawn?"