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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.
Marrakech (Maroc) Porte Bab Khemis
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Marrakech (Maroc) Porte Bab Khemis

Artifact IDMO 1943.226.1
Object Type Painting
Gifter
Artist (French painter and illustrator, 1885-1966)
Dateca. 1926-1928
Mediumpainting: canvas, paint (oil)
frame: wood
Dimensionsframe H 20 1/4 in x W 25 1/2 in x D 7/8 in (51.4 cm x 64.8 cm x 2.2 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 17 in x W 22 in (43.2 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas painting featuring a view of the Bab el-Khemis gate in Marrakech, Morocco. The gate rises up in the background. In the foreground, several individuals in traditional outfits - one of whom is accompanied by a camel - are seen either entering or departing the gate's doorway. The painting is signed by the artist in the lower left corner: Marius Hubert-Robert.

The painting is framed in a 2" darkly stained wood frame. A handwritten note in pencil on the reverse top of the frame reads: MARRAKECH (MAROC) PORTE BAB KHEMIS.
Historical NoteLike other American presidents, FDR received artworks as gifts from governments and private individuals. Some were associated with important events in his presidency. This oil painting of a scene in Marrakech, Morocco, is one.

In January 1943, Roosevelt flew to Morocco to meet with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Casablanca Conference. On January 24, after several days of high-level meetings with military advisers, the two men traveled to Marrakech, where they spent the evening at the large villa of Kenneth Pendar, the United States Vice-Consul. During their journey, they passed by the entrance gate to Bab El Khemis, a large marketplace. Later, the two men watched the sunset over the Atlas Mountains from the tower in the nearby Majorelle Gardens (see below).

French artist Marius Hubert-Robert painted this view of the entrance to the Bab El Khemis market some years earlier during his travels in North Africa. He presented the painting to President Roosevelt on January 30, 1943 as a token of his admiration and respect.
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 SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
CopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be 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 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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