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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copy…
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Mitchell Jamieson.
Guard Duty at U.S. Treasury: Improvised Mess Hall
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copy…
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Mitchell Jamieson.

Guard Duty at U.S. Treasury: Improvised Mess Hall

Artifact IDMO 1991.2.9
Object Type Sketch
Artist (American painter, 1915-1976)
Dateca. 1941-1942
Mediumpaper (illustration paper, mat board), paint (watercolor), ink, pencil, tape
Dimensionsmat H 22 1/8 in x W 30 1/8 in (56.2 cm x 76.5 cm )
 painting H 15 1/8 in x W 22 1/2 in (38.4 cm x 57.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original watercolor sketch of military guards at the U.S. Treasury. The sketch depicts a partial view of a boiler room (presumably in the basement of the Treasury building) with vaulted ceilings and a glass double door. On the right side of the scene, five soldiers in uniform are seated at a table eating, while a sixth soldier is seen entering through the doors. On the left side of the scene, a large tank and related piping is visible, along with a line of clothes hung out to dry. The artwork sheet is signed by the artist in the lower right: Mitchell Jamieson.

On the reverse of the sheet is an unrelated rough pencil sketch of a man walking down the sidewalk of a village street, along with a pencil notation regarding the image on the front: No. 9 / Mess Hall.

The sheet is mounted to a window mat on the front of which is adhered a typed descriptive label that reads: GUARD DUTY AT U. S. TREASURY / "IMPROVISED MESS HALL" / by / MITCHELL JAMIESON, WASHINGTON, D. C. / COMMISSIONED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY / HONORABLE HENRY MORGENTHAU, JR. On the reverse of the mat is an additional typed label, adhered with tape, that describes the scene: An improvised mess hall consisting of table and chairs is set up on a / platform above the boiler room. The men eat here in shifts.
Historical NoteThis watercolor sketch is one in a series of nine studies (MO 1991.2.1-9) depicting guard duty at the U.S. Treasury. The studies, done by artist Mitchell Jamieson, were commissioned by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Henry Morgenthau III, Robert Morgenthau, and Joan Morgenthau Hirschhorn in 1986.
Credit LineGift of Henry Morgenthau III, Robert Morgenthau, and Joan Morgenthau Hirschhorn
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 - Fully
Copyright© Mitchell Jamieson / ca. 1941-1942. 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.
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