Lorne Calvert is making a return to the Legislature. The former premier's portrait has been officially unveiled.

In the picture Calvert is smiling widely, and in a marked change, outside with the Legislature in the background. He explained to the roughly one hundred people who turned up to the unveiling that there is real symbolism to the pose.

"I feel what happens inside this building only becomes important when it affects lives outside the building. And so I chose that external pose to reflect that."

He is very happy with the design and hopes people look back fondly on his time in Saskatchewan's history.

"I hope they see a time that we were determined to see a good and strong future for this province. That there would be a great opportunity in this province for all of our peoples."

Calvert actually posed for the portrait several years ago. It is the advice given to each premier as it is said the stress and toll of the job hasn't yet taken affect.

The portrait is much more informal than those chosen by Calvert's predecessors who look almost pensive. Calvert responds, "I still like to think I was doing some thinking even though it may not look it."

And as described by many as one of the nicest men in Saskatchewan politics, Calvert believes the portrait reflects that.

"I'm not the easiest character in the world to make look decent in a portrait. I like it and I hope it caught something of our time in government.

The portrait joins twelve premier paintings that hang below the rotunda in the Legislature.

At the unveiling current premier Brad Wall joked to the guests he would much rather see Mr. Calvert hanging on the wall than debating him over politics.