Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Mitchell Jamieson.
Before the Storm
Artifact IDMO 1941.3.296
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 in x W 28 3/8 in x D 3/4 in (58.4 cm x 72.1 cm x 1.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA watercolor painting of a pond-front scene on the Val-Kill property in Hyde Park, New York. Against a darkening sky and a background of trees, a woman wearing a rust-colored dress and a blue scarf is standing on the windswept shore of Val-Kill Pond, a small portion of which is visible along the left side of the image. A white rowboat is pulled onto the shoreline of the pond. The painting is signed by the artist in the lower right: Mitchell Jamieson.
The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in a non-original 1" gold-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.The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in a non-original 1" gold-painted wood frame.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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 - FullyCopyright© 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