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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.
Coriolanus Painting
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Coriolanus Painting

Object numberMO 1970.89
Name Painting
Artist (American, 1881 - 1959)
Dateca. 1940s
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsframe H 34 in x W 44 in x D 2 1/2 in (86.4 cm x 111.8 cm x 6.4 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 29 3/4 in x W 39 7/8 in (75.6 cm x 101.3 cm )
DescriptionA painting of the iron barque (or bark), CORIOLANUS. It depicts a slightly angled view of the three-masted sailing ship at full sail on open water against a partially clouded blue sky. Crew members and lifeboats can be seen on the deck. Another ship, possibly a steam frigate, is visible in the left background. The painting is signed by the artist in red in the lower right corner: Duncan Gleason. A biographic label about the artist (with the name of the ship incorrectly spelled) is attached on the reverse of the canvas.

The painting is matted in its original 3 1/8" fabric mat and framed in a non-original 1½" black wood frame with gilt inner trim.
Label TextThis painting of the CORIOLANUS (1876) was presented to President Roosevelt in 1944 by Donald W. Douglas of the Douglas Aircraft Company for display in the first Presidential aircraft—a Douglas VC-54C cargo transport plane that was converted for passenger use and nicknamed the “Sacred Cow.” Roosevelt used the aircraft during World War II. Life magazine dubbed it the “Airborne White House.”

The painting reflects FDR’s love of the sea and his special interest in the age of sail. He placed it in the aircraft’s Presidential compartment, where it remained until 1950, when his successor, Harry S. Truman, transferred it to the Roosevelt Library.
Additional Details
Credit LinePresented by President Harry S. Truman to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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