By Bob Katzen

Former Gov. Charlie Baker’s official portrait was unveiled to the public and the press this week in the lobby of the executive suite. The portrait was first unveiled in a private unveiling before Christmas on December 21.

The display space in the lobby is reserved for the 12 most recent governors, resulting in the 1950s portrait of the late Gov. Christian Herter being shuffled off to another location.

The $29,000 price tag for the portrait, painted by Pennsylvania-based artist Ellen Cooper, was paid for by Baker’s campaign committee. For many years, the cost of gubernatorial portraits was paid by the taxpayers. Former Gov. Mike Dukakis changed that by starting a custom of financing the portraits with private money.