Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Josy Meyers.
The Castle of Clervaux
Artifact IDMO 1941.3.23
Object Type
Painting
Artist
Josy Meyers
(Luxembourgish artist, 1902 - 1970)
Date1939
Mediumpainting: canvas, paint (oil)
frame: wood, paint
frame: wood, paint
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 )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas painting of the Castle of Clervaux in Luxembourg. The castle, built overlooking a village, is in the forefront of the painting. In the background, the Abbey of St. Maurice and St. Maurus of Clervaux sits at the top of a hill rising up above the castle. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner: "J. Meyers '39 [1939].”
The painting framed in 1½" gold-painted wood frame. Adhered to the reverse of the frame (beneath a piece of black trim) is a small blue, orange, and white printed U.S. Customs exhibit entry sticker for the 1939 New York World's Fair identifying the painting as "Entry No. 708" and located in "Case No. 55.”
Historical NoteH.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.The painting framed in 1½" gold-painted wood frame. Adhered to the reverse of the frame (beneath a piece of black trim) is a small blue, orange, and white printed U.S. Customs exhibit entry sticker for the 1939 New York World's Fair identifying the painting as "Entry No. 708" and located in "Case No. 55.”
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© Josy / 1939.
Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
Not on view
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