Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Joseph Meyers.
Castle of Clervaux. . .
Object numberMO 1941.3.23
Name
Painting
Artist
Joseph Meyers
(Luxembourgish)
Date1939
Mediumpainting: canvas, paint (oil)
frame: wood
frame: wood
Dimensionsframe H 63 3/4 in x W 71 in x D 3 1/4 in (161.9 cm x 180.3 cm x 8.3 cm )
painting (on stretcher) H 61 1/4 in x W 68 1/4 in (155.6 cm x 173.4 cm )
painting (on stretcher) H 61 1/4 in x W 68 1/4 in (155.6 cm x 173.4 cm )
DescriptionOil painting on canvas of the Castle of Clervaux built on a rock overlooking a village. The castle is in the forefront of the painting, while in the background a hill rises above it with another large building at the peak. Signed and dated lower right: "J. Meyers '39" [1939]. On right side of frame (underneath black trim piece) is attached a small blue, orange, and white printed U.S. Customs 1939 New York World's Fair Exhibit sticker identifying the painting as "Entry No. 708" and "Case No. 55" [number written in ink]. Painting framed in 1 1/2" gilt wood frame.
Label TextH.R.H. The Grand Duchess of Luxenbourg presented this painting to President Roosevelt on March 1, 1941. It had earlier been displayed in the Luxembourg pavilion at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. At the time of the presentation of this gift, the Grand Duchess and the government of Luxembourg were in exile after the German invasion of their nation in May 1940.FDR included this painting in the original displays at the Roosevelt Library when it opened to the public on June 30, 1941. He did so, in part, because of its connection to his family history. The village overlooked by the castle was once the fief of the Count of Clervaux. During the eighteenth century it became the property of the de Lannoy family. The name Delano (the family name of FDR's mother, Sara) is a mutation of de Lannoy. FDR's ancestor, Phillipe de Lannoy, came to America in the early seventeenth century.
Clervaux castle was destroyed during the Battle of the Bulge. It was completely rebuilt by the government of Luxembourg after the war.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 1, 1941. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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 - FullyCopyright© Joseph Meyers / 1939.
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