Get your feet off the table Mr President! Obama's laid-back style revealed in photos

PUBLISHED: 18:37 EST, 30 April 2013 | UPDATED: 19:55 EST, 30 April 2013

A series of official White House photographs brought together by Vanity Fair show the 'lean-back' nature of Barack Obama's presidency.

The pictures reveal that Mr Obama often exhibits relaxed body language in stressful situations, with legs crossed and a knee raised.

Most noticeable of all, the president often has his feet up on his desk. But this is not just any desk - the Resolute desk was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880.

Solemn proceedings: Obama hoofs up on the priceless Resolute desk while discussing matters of state with advisers Tom Donilon, Jack Lew, Denis McDonough in November 2012

Knee-up: The president makes a point during a terrorist-threat briefing in May 2010 after the attempted car bombing in Times Square

Different table, same attitude: Obama chats to advisers in the Oval Office in May 2010

Lean-back: Obama swings on his chair in the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing of the White House

Getting some rays: The president enjoys the sun in the Rose Garden

In the pictures President Obama can be seen discussing affairs of the state with his advisers and counselors.

Yet whether they are debating tragic events or vital economic policy, the president is often more reclined than those around him.

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When talking about the Newtown shootings, foreign policy in Egypt or Libya, or in deficit-reduction talks Obama can be seen with his legs crossed or his head in his hands.

But most frequently the president has his feet on the famous Resolute desk in the Oval Office.

Sealed: Obama makes an agreement with his feet on the Resolute desk

Bad news? Obama puts his feet up during the debt-limit and deficit-reduction discussions on July 30, 2011

Heels up: During more economic talks in 2011

Odd one out: Obama is the only one with his knee up as the room listens to Joe Biden's advice on the response to the Newtown shootings

Head on hands: Obama reacts during a high-level meeting

Recline position: Obama leans back while meeting advisers on New Year's Day 2012

A plaque on the front of the desk explains that the H.M.S. Resolute was abandoned in the Arctic in 1852.

The vessel was then 'discovered and extricated' by American whaler Captain Buddington in September 1855.

Resolute was then refurbished and sent to Britain as a 'token of goodwill and friendship' from the president and people of the United States.

When the ship was broken up, Queen Victoria sent a desk made out of its timbers back to the U.S. as a 'memorial of the courtesy and loving kindness which dictated the offer of the gift of the "Resolute"'

Franklin Roosevelt had a door built in the desk to stop people seeing his legbraces. The Resolute was first moved into the Oval Office by Jackie Kennedy in 1961.

Lean: Obama doesn't seem to be enjoying this planning meeting in 2009

Stretching out: Obama grins with his feet on the table

Support: The president props himself up during a meeting

Good advice: Obama receives his counselors in the Oval Office

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It's all staged. This is the image we're supposed to swallow. Rubbish!

- Giarc , AA MI, United States, 01/5/2013 12:51

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Maybe he should send UK back the desk like he did the bust of Churchill, I'm sure we can send an IKEA flatpack in replacement... Should be more comfortable for his feet.

- Reality Check , cloud cuckoo land, 01/5/2013 12:50

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I am surprised Mr. Obama has not got rid of Queen Victoria's desk in the same way he threw out the bust of Winston Churchill when he was first elected.

- Oracle2013 , London, United Kingdom, 01/5/2013 12:48

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I'll take Barack Obama with his feet up on the furniture any day, instead of the faux Texan strutting around and spitting and bobbing his head like a deranged person. President Obama is just that, the president. Get over it - he's the boss and can put his feet up on the desk if he wants. - Chris, Washington, 1/5/2013 7:37 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I OWN that desk, that chair, that table. I wouldn't put my feet on it, why should he? Pompas a$$.

- Ga Girl , GA-USA, 01/5/2013 12:44

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Hero

- HenryR , Glasgow, 01/5/2013 12:42

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I have respect for the office - so should he...

- Liz , Washington DC, 01/5/2013 12:40

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- Chris , Washington, 01/5/2013 12:37

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Big deal! So what if he is stretching his legs? Is it the end of the World? All I can say is thank goodness it's pictures of Obama in office - it could have been worse, we could be seeing pictures of Romney stretching his legs instead! Phew!! :)

- Jenny , PA, United States, 01/5/2013 12:36

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That's the problem, he does not put his feet on the ground to help Amerika. He only wants to destroy her. IMPEACH THE USURPER-IN-CHIEF!!!

- James V. , Maryland, United States, 01/5/2013 12:36

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"By contrast, George W. Bush regularly began meetings by 7 a.m.or earlier, and he never put his feet on the furniture." - Candace, California, 1/5/2013 9:08. Candace, google "George Bush feet on desk" and the first picture is of Bush crossing his feet on the very same desk!

- Guru , Bangalore, 01/5/2013 12:35

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