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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.
Catherine Robbins Lyman Delano Portrait
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Catherine Robbins Lyman Delano Portrait

Artifact IDMO 2004.1.2
Object Type Painting
Artist (American, 1788 - 1857)
Date1843
MediumPaint (oil), Textile (canvas), Wood
Dimensionsframe H 58 3/4 in x W 48 1/2 in x D 3 3/4 in (149.2 cm x 123.2 cm x 9.5 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 50 1/8 in x W 41 in (127.3 cm x 104.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas painting of Catherine Robbins Lyman Delano, standing, from the thighs up, body and head turned partially to the left of the painting. She is wearing a white, short-sleeve muslin dress and a pink and gold stole. She holds her hands in front of herself. On the left side of the painting is a table covered with a maroon and gold tablecloth, and set with a vase of flowers and several books. A partial landscape scene is visible behind the table. The painting is unsigned and undated.

The painting is framed in a modern (2008) 5 ¼”w Louis XIV-style gilt wood frame. A plaque attached to the bottom of the frame is inscribed: CATHERINE ROBBINS (LYMAN) DELANO / 1825 – 1896 / PAINTED 1843 BY WILLIAM E. WEST.
Historical NoteThis painting is the wedding portrait of Franklin Roosevelt’s maternal grandmother, Catherine Robbins Lyman Delano (1825-1896). Artist William West painted the portrait shortly before Catherine’s 1843 marriage to Warren Delano II. Several months after this portrait was completed, Catherine traveled with her new husband to China, where Warren was involved in merchant trade. The portrait remained in the Delano family for over 150 years until it was acquired for the FDR Library and Museum in 2003.
Additional Details
Custodial History NotePurchased by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 2003.
Credit LineGift of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view