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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.
Portrait Painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fala
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Portrait Painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fala

Artifact IDMO 1943.126.1
Object Type Painting
Artist (American illustrator, 1894 - 1956)
Date1942
Mediumpainting: paint (oil), canvas
frame: wood, paint
Dimensionsframe H 29 3/4 in x W 23 3/4 in x D 2 1/4 in (75.6 cm x 60.3 cm x 5.7 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 26 in x W 20 in (66 cm x 50.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas head and chest portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt posed with his Scottie dog, Fala. Against a dark background is FDR with his head and body turned slightly to the left. He is dressed in a dark suit jacket with a blue flower in the lapel hole, a white shirt, and a dark necktie. Fala is seated on the left side, in front of FDR, and is wearing a rectangular brass dog tag. The painting is signed by the artist (behind the frame) in both the upper right and lower left: E FRANKLIN WITTMACK 42. Written in ink on the reverse of the canvas is the artist's name: E. FRANKLIN WITTMACK.

The portrait is framed in a 2¼" gilt wood frame. On the reverse of the stretcher is a sticker for Miller Frame Galleries of Madison Avenue, New York, NY.
Historical NoteThis portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Scottish terrier, Fala, was painted for the cover of the August 22, 1942 issue of Liberty magazine. The portrait was sent to FDR in July 1942 by Alfred C. Strasser, the art editor of the magazine.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 13, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright 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.
In Collection(s)
Not on view