Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Mitchell Jamieson.
Painting of Top Cottage
Artifact IDMO 2002.6.10
Object Type
Painting
Artist
Mitchell Jamieson
(American painter, 1915-1976)
Date1940
Mediumpainting: paper, paint (watercolor)
frame: wood, plastic (acrylic), paint, paper (mat board)
frame: wood, plastic (acrylic), paint, paper (mat board)
Dimensionsframe H 23 1/2 in x W 29 1/2 in x D 3/4 in (59.7 cm x 74.9 cm x 1.9 cm )
painting H 17 5/8 in x W 22 in (44.8 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA watercolor painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Top Cottage in Hyde Park, New York. It depicts a closeup, angled view of the front of the Dutch Colonial fieldstone cottage, including its front entry door. The painting is signed by the artist in the lower left: Mitchell Jamieson.painting H 17 5/8 in x W 22 in (44.8 cm x 55.9 cm )
On the reverse of artwork sheet is another fully completed watercolor sketch of a landscape scene which has been crossed out in pencil, along with a pencil notation that reads: Cottage, No 2 - Back.
The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in a non-original 1" white-painted wood frame.
Historical NoteIn May 1940, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. commissioned artist Mitchell Jamieson to do a series of watercolor paintings of the Morgenthau property in East Fishkill, New York. Secretary and Mrs. Morgenthau were so pleased by the paintings that they arranged a similar commission of paintings of Hyde Park, New York to gift to Franklin D. Roosevelt. This painting is one of 27 that Jamieson completed in June 1940 while staying at a cottage on the Roosevelts' Val-Kill property. The paintings depict local scenes, the surrounding countryside, and the areas around Springwood, Top Cottage, and Val-Kill.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteOn FDR's death in 1945, the painting was inherited by John A. Roosevelt. It was purchased at auction in 2001 by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
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 SeriesHudson River Valley Materials (National Archives Identifier 778818)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Copyright© Mitchell Jamieson / 1940.
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)
Not on view
