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

Leaf Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Artifact IDMO 1947.93.402b
Object Type Portrait
Artist (Cuban painter and illustrator)
Dateca. 1945
Mediumleaf
Dimensionsframe H 15 in x W 11 5/8 in x D 3/4 in (38.1 cm x 29.5 cm x 1.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA head and shoulders portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt scraped into the surface of a brown, oval-shaped tree leaf. FDR is shown wearing a suit jacket, shirt, and tie.

The portrait is matted, glazed, and framed in a non-original, modern gold-tone metal frame.
Historical NoteRafael A. Suris of Havana, Cuba sent President Roosevelt this unusual portrait in January 1945. It was “executed with a penknife, a needle, and some patience on the leaf of a tree,” he wrote FDR, “by a Cuban who considers that you are the greatest and noblest person of this century.”
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 20, 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 - Possibly
CopyrightCopyright 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