In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, former President George W. Bush unveiled a collection of paintings he created to reflect on the event. The former president shared the images via social media on Friday, providing a personal artistic perspective on the day that defined his presidency.

One of the most notable pieces in the collection is a rendering of the specific moment Andrew Card, then White House chief of staff, whispered the news of the attacks to Bush. At the time, Bush was visiting an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida. The painting serves as a visual representation of the transition from a routine presidential appearance to the national crisis that followed.

Bush has frequently used painting as a creative outlet since leaving office, previously publishing books featuring portraits of military veterans and immigrants. This latest series focuses specifically on the historical weight of the 9/11 attacks, offering a somber reflection on the tragedy. While the release of the artwork is tied to the approaching anniversary, it also highlights the former president’s ongoing public engagement with the legacy of his administration’s response to the attacks.