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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The Monitor and the Merrimac at Short Range by an Eye Witness
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

The Monitor and the Merrimac at Short Range by an Eye Witness

Object numberMO 1957.40
Name Painting
Artist
Dateca. 1862
Mediumpainting: board, paint (oil)
frame: wood
Dimensionsframe H 15 3/4 in x W 22 1/2 in x D 1 1/4 in (40 cm x 57.2 cm x 3.2 cm )
 painting H 15 in x W 21 1/2 in (38.1 cm x 54.6 cm )
DescriptionAn oil on board painting of the engagement between the USS MONITOR and CSS VIRGINIA (formerly the USS MERRIMACK). It depicts the two iron clad ships at close range in the forefront. Black smoke is seen issuing from the smokestack of the VIRGINIA, with white smoke coming from the MONITOR. A combination of iron clad ships and sailing vessels, some firing their cannons, are seen in the background.

The painting is glazed and framed in a 1½" gilt wood frame. Attached to the bottom of the frame is a small gilt plaque on which is hand printed an inscription that reads: The "Monitor" and the "Merrimac." [sp.] / at Short Range. / by an Eye Witness.
Label TextFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong collector of prints, engravings, and paintings illustrating the history of the United States Navy.

The famous March 9, 1862, duel between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack)—the first clash between iron-clad warships— was one of his major collecting interests. FDR owned nearly 75 depictions of the two ships and the battle. His interest may have been influenced by the fact that a Delano ancestor, Edward Hartt Delano, was involved in the construction of the Merrimack.

This is the original oil painting for one of the popular lithographs of the battle produced by Currier & Ives. As such, it would have been prized by a collector like Roosevelt who had an intense interest in the fabled battle. FDR would have also been attracted by the fact that the painting was attributed to an eyewitness. He especially prized such artworks, appreciating their value to the historical record.

Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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