This portrait by Ralph Wolfe Cowan is displayed at the "Echoes of Elvis" exhibit. Photo courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

The “Echoes of Elvis” exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery splashes some color onto the otherwise grey life of Elvis Presley. The exhibit, which reflects the iconic images of Elvis through various artwork and memorabilia, opened Jan. 8, what would have been the King of Rock n’ Roll’s 75th birthday, and runs through Aug. 29.

“Echoes of Elvis” is on the smaller side, consisting of one small gallery and displaying 12 different creations.  Pieces range from photographs of Graceland and portraits of Elvis to a re-creation of a well-known Julius Caesar statue with Elvis’s head replacing Caesar’s.

While the exhibit is definitely a hit for anyone with an interest in the King, they don’t expose any side that the public hasn’t already seen.  A handful of the pieces are incredibly creative, but most of the portraits attempt abstraction only through the use of color.

The first items to strike any visitor to the exhibit are two photographs: one of Graceland, and another of Elvis and his first wife Priscilla Beaulieu at their wedding.

Next are a handful of caricatures.  One shows Elvis in his military uniform, with facial features that are slightly exaggerated to add humor to the piece. The third portrait is a comical crayon drawing of the singer with his iconic flashy suits and greased hair overemphasized for effect.

But the last part of the exhibit takes a different turn, displaying a collection of vintage items, including Elvis magnets, key chains, stamps, an Elvis nutcracker doll and an Elvis action figure.  Sure, they’re fun to look at, but it definitely wasn’t anything new.

The exhibit’s curators designed the exhibit to focus on Elvis’ trademark features as a way to celebrate what would have been his 75th birthday.   But while “Echoes of Elvis” offers a nice glimpse into Elvis’ life, it only scratches the surface.