Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Italian Harbor at Sunset
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Italian Harbor at Sunset

Artifact IDMO 1943.149.2
Object Type Painting
Artist (French painter, 1604-1682, active in Italy)
Gifter
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsframe H 41 1/2 in x W 55 in x D 4 in (105.4 cm x 139.7 cm x 10.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil painting of an Italian harbor scene at sunset. A stone building is seen on the left with wide steps leading into the water at the center of the image. In the water at the foreground are several figures in a rowboat pulling into a landing area with a building on the right. Another rowboat with figures is seen behind it. Several sailing ships are seen in the background, including one docked to the right. A fortified building is visible in the left background. The painting is attributed to Claude Lorrain.

The painting is framed in an ornate 7" wood and plaster gilt frame. Attached to reverse of frame is a label with the title of the work, the name of the artist, and FDR's name and address at the White House, as well as: Masterpieces of Art / Exhibition at the New York World's Fair 1939. Also on reverse is a printed label: NO 83 PICTURE. An additional pencil note on the reverse reads: From Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C.

Historical NoteThis painting of an Italian harbor at sunset is attributed to Claude Lorrain. FDR’s godmother, Eleanor Blodgett, gave the painting to him in 1923. She had inherited it from her father, William Tilden Blodgett, a prominent art collector and one of the founders of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting was displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It is on display in FDR'S PRIVATE STUDY in the Permanent Exhibit.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1941-1943. 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 SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links