Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Drawn Portrait of James Roosevelt
Artifact IDMO 2009.8.6
Object Type
Drawing
Artist
Samuel Johnson Woolf
(American painter, illustrator, and printmaker, 1880-1948)
Date1937
Mediumpaper, charcoal, chalk, pencil, ink
Dimensionsmat H 27 in x W 20 in (68.6 cm x 50.8 cm )
sheet H 25 5/8 in x W 19 3/4 in (65.1 cm x 50.2 cm )
sheet H 25 5/8 in x W 19 3/4 in (65.1 cm x 50.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA charcoal sketch, with chalk highlights, of James Roosevelt done from life. Done on buff paper, the head and shoulders portrait shows Roosevelt, turned slightly to the proper right, wearing a dark suit jacket, a white shirt, and a dark tie. The artist's stamped signature is in the lower left quadrant: S.J. Woolf. Written in pencil in the lower left corner: JAMES ROOSEVELT / WITH AN ARTICLE "FIVE POWER SECRETARIAT SMOOTHS ROOSEVELT'S WAY" / NY TIMES MAG 5-23-37 / SIGNATURE OF ROOSEVELT WAS ERASED TO PERMIT REVERSING THE DRAWING 1 [number encircled]. Written in pencil in the lower right corner: REVERSE / MAG / 3 ¾ X 4 ½ / 4305 [stamped in ink].
On the reverse of the artwork page, the faint impression of James Roosevelt’s signature can be seen from where it was originally written – and then erased - on the front side. Written in pencil on the reverse of the artwork page: P-186.
The artwork page is mounted inside a window mat folder.
Historical NoteJames Roosevelt (1907-1991), was the eldest son and second child of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.On the reverse of the artwork page, the faint impression of James Roosevelt’s signature can be seen from where it was originally written – and then erased - on the front side. Written in pencil on the reverse of the artwork page: P-186.
The artwork page is mounted inside a window mat folder.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Stuart P. and Sue Feld in 2008.
Credit LineGift of Stuart P. and Sue Feld
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