On Friday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the alumni of the Governor Mario Cuomo Administration presented Governor Mario M. Cuomo with a surprise birthday gift: an oil-on-canvas portrait which will be displayed in the Hall of Governors located in the State Capitol. 

"The collection of gubernatorial portraits in the Hall of Governors recognizes the extraordinary public servants that have changed the course of our state and nation during their lifetimes," Governor Cuomo said. "Today is a particularly special day for me, as I have the privilege of unveiling the official portrait of a man who not only has served New York State for many years including twelve as governor, but a father who also instilled in me the value of public service. I am pleased that this portrait will now be in the Hall of Governors and available to the many New Yorkers who visit to learn the story of our state's history."

The portrait of New York's 52nd governor was painted by Simmie Knox, a nationally-recognized portraiture artist whose works include the official White House portraits of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, as well as U.S. Supreme Court Justices Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mr. Knox has been commissioned by private individuals, organizations, and institutions and has also painted portraits of a U.S. cabinet member, U.S. congressmen and state senators, a mayor of New York City, respected civic leaders, sports figures, entertainment celebrities, educators, judges, religious leaders, military officers, businessmen, and private individuals.

The portrait was done with oil paint on oil-primed linen. Mr. Knox based the portrait on a 1989 photograph of Governor Mario Cuomo taken by Don Pollard. It was commissioned in early 2012 by the Friends of Mario M. Cuomo.