Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
Caricature of Harry Hopkins
Artifact IDMO 1944.26.6.4
Object Type
Drawing
Artist
Al Hirschfeld
(American caricaturist, 1903-2003)
Dateca. 1943
Mediumpaper (illustration board), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 6 3/8 in x W 10 1/8 in (16.2 cm x 25.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original pen and ink caricature of Harry Hopkins in the form of a dog. Hopkins's face - sporting small eyebrows, large eyes, and a pointy chin - is placed on the body of a very thin dog with a long neck, pointed ears, and a thin, curved tail. The drawing is unsigned by the artist.Hopkins's name is handwritten twice on the reverse of the caricature for identification purposes, once in pencil (possibly by Al Hirschfeld) and once in ink.
Historical NoteThis caricature of Harry Hopkins is one of eight pen and ink caricatures (MO 1944.26.6.1-8) that Al Hirschfeld drew of some of Franklin D. Roosevelt's distinguished friends and prominent visitors to the White House. The caricatures were the basis of comedy slide effects used at the National Press Club preview of this subject. The caricatures were sent to FDR in June 1943 by Carter T. Barron, the Washington, DC representative of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
New Deal administrator, friend and wartime advisor to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry L. Hopkins (1890-1946), was a key player in FDR’s inner circle. Throughout the 1930s, Hopkins headed the key New Deal work relief programs, including the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These positions led him to employ millions of workers, spending billions of dollars at a scale greater than any previous individual in history. As the Roosevelt administration turned its eyes to war, Hopkins became special assistant to FDR, his closest diplomatic advisor responsible for executing Lend-Lease operations and acting as unofficial emissary to Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.
In declining heath, Hopkins and his young daughter lived at the White House, spending ample time with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt. He died in 1946 following his long battle with stomach cancer.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 3, 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 SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Copyright© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
Copyright or other proprietary rights are 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 these 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
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