Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Bust, Casting #1
Object numberMO 1970.2
Name
Bust
Artist
Jo Davidson
(American sculptor, 1883-1952)
Maker
Roman Bronze Works
(American bronze foundry, founded 1899)
Date1934
Mediummetal (copper alloy, bronze)
Dimensionsoverall H 21 1/4 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 10 3/4 in (54 cm x 21.6 cm x 27.3 cm )
part a (head) H 12 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 10 3/4 in (30.5 cm x 21.6 cm x 27.3 cm )
part b (base) H 9 1/4 in x W 6 3/4 in x D 6 7/8 in (23.5 cm x 17.1 cm x 17.5 cm )
part a (head) H 12 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 10 3/4 in (30.5 cm x 21.6 cm x 27.3 cm )
part b (base) H 9 1/4 in x W 6 3/4 in x D 6 7/8 in (23.5 cm x 17.1 cm x 17.5 cm )
DescriptionNo. 1 bronze casting of a front-facing head of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The artist’s signature is on the back of the head: JO DAVIDSON • WASH • 1933 © 1934. Engraved on the top of the sculpture’s bronze mounting plate is “#1”, and stamped into the side of the mounting plate is the foundry’s name: ROMAN BRONZE WORKS, N.Y. The casting has a tinted coating.
The head is mounted on a two-tiered black base on the front of which is an inlaid bronze plaque with FDR’s facsimile signature: Franklin D Roosevelt.
Label TextAt the end of 1933 and the beginning of 1934, Franklin Roosevelt sat several times for sculptor Jo Davidson at the White House. This bust, casting #1, was presented to FDR by Davidson. According to FDR's daughter, Anna Roosevelt Halsted, "As long as we were in the White House it sat on top of a bookcase in Mother's sitting room on the second floor."The head is mounted on a two-tiered black base on the front of which is an inlaid bronze plaque with FDR’s facsimile signature: Franklin D Roosevelt.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Anna Roosevelt Halsted in 1965.
Credit LineGift of Anna Roosevelt Halsted
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
Non exposé
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