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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.
Figurehead of Commodore Perry
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Figurehead of Commodore Perry

Artifact IDMO 1944.105.1.5
Object Type Painting
Artist
Dateca. 1930s
Mediumpaper, watercolor, ink
Dimensionsmat (mat folder closed) H 20 in x W 16 in (50.8 cm x 40.6 cm )
 mat (mat folder open) H 20 in x W 32 1/8 in (50.8 cm x 81.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original watercolor painting of a ship's carved figurehead of Oliver Hazard Perry. The image shows Perry's head and bust. The painting is matted within a paper folder. On the page opposite the painting is information text regarding the figurehead.

The piece is housed in a series portfolio (see MO 1944.105.1.4b).
Historical NoteThis watercolor was created for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Index of American Design. It is based on an original painting by Elizabeth Moutal and depicts a figurehead that was likely used on Donald McKay's ship, the COMMODORE PERRY, built in 1854.

The original figurehead was once in the collection of rug maker Ralph Burnham of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The painting is part of a collection (MO 1944.05.1.1-6) of original watercolor paintings by WPA Index of American Design artists. The paintings are stored in a pair of portfolios made by the Milwaukee Handicraft Project, sponsored by the Milwaukee County and Milwaukee State Teachers College, Wisconsin Art Project, Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project. The portfolios and paintings were presented to President Roosevelt by the artists of the Index of American Design.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was sent by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the FDR Library on February 2, 1944. It was formally donated to the FDR Library in 1947 through FDR's Estate.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the New Deal (National Archives Identifier 750981)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view