In the presidential oil portrait of JFK why did the artist paint him looking down and with arms crossed?

In the presidential oil portrait of JFK why did the artist paint him looking down and with arms crossed as opposed to other paintings done of US Presidents in sitting or standing positions facing the viewer?In the presidential oil portrait of JFK why did the artist paint him looking down and with arms crossed?
The artist, Aaron Shikler, based the portrait on a White House photo taken when he was in deep-thought during the Cuban Missile Crisis.





An interesting pose, and YES a contrast to other portraits.In the presidential oil portrait of JFK why did the artist paint him looking down and with arms crossed?
Artists sometimes try to capture the character of a person as well as the likeness. Perhaps JFK seemed reserved or distracted when he sat for the portrait. He may also have been influenced by a famous photo of JFK that was taken in the oval office with him leaning with his hands on a desk in a pose that showed the burden of command.
Because that particular portrait was painted AFTER HIS DEATH.

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