Burns portrait

Portrait of C. Montgomery Burns

Object Information Manufacturer: Marge Simpson Owner: Springfield Palace of Fine Arts First Appearance: "Brush with Greatness"

"And, uh, incidentally, thanks for not making fun of my genitalia."

―Montgomery Burns

"I thought I did."

―Marge Simpson

The Burns Portrait is a nude painting of C. Montgomery Burns by Marge Simpson.

Aesthetics

The portrait depicts Burns completely naked, hunched over slightly, against a purple backdrop. Although Marge thought she had ridiculed Burns' genitals, Burns thanked her for properly depicting them.

Reaction

"He's bad—but he'll die—so I like it."

―Elizabeth Hoover

The portrait was unveiled as part of a wing dedication to Burns at the Springfield Palace of Fine Arts. (Burns "ponied up the dough" to have the museum built.)

When the painting's curtain was lowered, and the crowd saw the portrait for the first time, their original reaction was one of shock. Smithers fainted upon seeing it. However, Marge explained her intention behind the piece was to show that, underneath his imposing evil, Burns was as fragile as any human being. Seen in this light, the crowd found a new appreciation for the painting.

Appearances

• Episode – "Brush with Greatness"
• Episode – "Last Exit to Springfield" (mentioned)
• Episode – "The Mansion Family"
• Video game – The Simpsons: Hit & Run (on collector card)
• Video game – The Simpsons Arcade