Michael Phelps portrait now featured at the National Portrait Gallery

What do George Washington, Rosa Parks and Michael Phelps have in common? Now you can find all of them at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Of course, only Phelps holds two bronze and 14 gold Olympic medals—including the eight he earned at the Beijing Summer Olympics and the six he won in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He was the first athlete to win eight gold medals in one Olympiad at the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Phelps was photographed in 2004 by Ryan McGinley, whose high-definition color image of the swimming champion can now be found on the first floor of the National Portrait Gallery’s north wing.

The dramatic photograph captures Phelps underwater, gliding toward the water’s surface. One arm is outstretched toward the light of the surface and the swimmer is exhaling a stream of bubbles from his nose.

Classes visiting the National Portrait Gallery this month and in December should take advantage of the fleeting opportunity to see the Michael Phelps portrait. The portrait will be on display through December 19, 2008.