Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
Caricature of Elmer Davis
Artifact IDMO 1944.26.6.3
Object Type
Drawing
Artist
Al Hirschfeld
(American caricaturist, 1903-2003)
Dateca. 1943
Mediumpaper (illustration board), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 11 in x W 11 1/4 in (27.9 cm x 28.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original pen and ink caricature of Elmer Davis in the form of a dog. Davis's face - sporting dark busy eyebrows and eyeglasses - is placed on the body of a poodle with a Continental trim and a bow tie around the neck. The drawing is signed by the artist in the lower right: HIRSCHFELD.Davis's name is handwritten twice on the reverse of the caricature for identification purposes, once in blue pencil (possibly by Al Hirschfeld) and once in ink.
Historical NoteThis caricature of Elmer Davis 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.
In 1942, President Roosevelt appointed Elmer Davis (1890-1958), an American journalist and author, as director of the United States Office of War Information. During World War II, the Office of War Information served as an important U.S. government information agency. Under the guidance of Davis, the OWI developed campaigns to enhance public understanding of the war at home and abroad. The OWI also handled liaisons with the press, radio, and motion pictures.
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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