A large chromogenic print photograph of Michael Phelps, taken by Ryan McGinley, has been installed on the first floor of the National Portrait Gallery’s north wing.

The photograph, which was first on display when the museum reopened in July 2006, shows Phelps underwater, with his right arm reaching toward the surface, bubbles streaming from his nose. The swimmer became the first athlete to win eight gold medals in one Olympiad at the Beijing Summer Olympics. Counting six gold medals he won in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the swimmer now holds 14 gold medals and two bronze.

Ryan McGinley photographed Phelps in 2004 on commission from the New York Times Magazine. McGinley photographed the members of the 2004 United States Olympic swim team for a special edition of the magazine; this photograph was published on the cover.

The photograph will be on view through January 2009.

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SI-388-2008