Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © The Obata Family.
Moonlight Over Topaz, Utah
Object numberMO 1992.1.31
Name
Painting
Artist
Chiura Obata
(Japanese-American, 1885 - 1975)
Date1942
Mediumpaint (watercolor), fabric (silk)
Dimensionsframe H 20 7/8 in x W 24 7/8 in x D 3/4 in (53 cm x 63.2 cm x 1.9 cm )
DescriptionA painting depicting a misty, early morning view of a Japanese internment camp in the desert region of Topaz, Utah. Barbed wire fences, watch towers, and buildings are backed by mountains and a still-visible moon. The painting is signed, stamped, and dated by artist in the lower right corner: Chiura Obata / Dec. 22nd 1942.
The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in 3/4" gilt wood frame.
Label TextArtist Chiura Obata was teaching in the Art Department at the University of California, Berkeley when Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Roosevelt on February 19, 1942. It led to the incarceration of approximately 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Roughly 80,000 were American citizens. They were forced from their homes and confined in remote government-run camps. Obata and his family were confined at the Central Utah (Topaz) camp. Obata established an art school there and continued his own work as a painter. The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in 3/4" gilt wood frame.
In May 1943, shortly after Eleanor Roosevelt’s well publicized visit to the Gila River camp in Arizona, a delegation from the Japanese American Citizens League visited the White House to express their gratitude for her concern for the treatment of Japanese Americans. During their visit they presented this painting of the Topaz camp to the First Lady. On June 16, Mrs. Roosevelt sent a letter to Obata thanking him for the painting. She displayed it in her New York City apartment until her death.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PartlyCopyright© The Obata Family / 1942.
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