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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.
Edward Delano Letras Y Figuras Painting
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Edward Delano Letras Y Figuras Painting

Artifact IDMO 2008.33.1
Object Type Painting
Artist (Filipino, 1815 (or 1821) - 1885)
Date19th century
MediumPaint (watercolor), Paper (wove), Wood, Glass
Dimensionsframe H 24 in x W 30 in x D 1 5/8 in (61 cm x 76.2 cm x 4.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA Letras Y Figuras (letters and figures) watercolor centered on Edward Delano's name. The painting is divided into two stacked horizontal sections. The top section features "EDWARD" formed with Chinese figures who were important in the commerce and crafts of Spanish Manila. The walled city seen in the background, with Spanish flags flying prominently, is Manila, Philippines. The bottom section features "DELANO" formed with Filipino figures in mid-nineteenth-century dress. In the background is a line of sailing ships of various countries, including the United States and France, as well as rowboats and a lighthouse. The artist's name is printed below the painting in the lower left: Por Jose Honorato Lozano.

The painting is glazed and framed in a 3" gilt wood frame.
Historical NoteFilipino artist José Honorato Lozano was known for his Letras Y Figuras, (letters and figures) watercolor paintings, a style he developed. It combines both tipos del pais and genre paintings by forming the letters of the patron’s name from figures of people in local costumes doing everyday activities. The style also utilized landscape scenes as background.

This watercolor features the name of Edward Delano (1818-1881) who was Franklin Roosevelt's great uncle and the brother of Warren Delano II, FDR's maternal grandfather. Warren Delano II, was associated with the shipping firm, Russell Sturgis and Company which included a location in Manila, Philippines. In January 1840, he became a partner in Russell and Company of Canton, China.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the FDR Library by the Estate of Laura Delano Eastman in 2008.
Credit LineEstate of Laura Delano Eastman
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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