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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.
Venetian Bridge
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Venetian Bridge

Artifact IDMO 1972.34
Object Type Painting
Gifter
Artist (American, 1856-1926)
Date1903
Mediumpainting: paper, paint (watercolor), pencil
frame: wood, plastic (acrylic), paper (mat board), paint
Dimensionsframe H 15 3/4 in x W 19 3/4 in x D 3/4 in (40 cm x 50.2 cm x 1.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA watercolor painting of a Venetian bridge over a canal. People are seen crossing over the bridge, and a boat is passing beneath it. A large four story pink building dominates the background of the scene. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in pencil in the lower left: Chas. S. Forbes - / Venice - 1903.

The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in a 7/8" gilt wood frame.
Historical NoteThis painting was a wedding gift to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. It is part of a small set of Venetian scenes presented to the newlyweds in 1905 by Charles Forbes. Forbes was a student and, later, close friend and colleague of John Singer Sargent. He was also a cousin of Sara Delano Roosevelt.

Forbes may have known that the young couple planned to spend part of their honeymoon in Venice. During their time there, Franklin took a photo of Eleanor at a location that resembles the one in the painting.

Eleanor was very fond of the Forbes watercolors. After FDR’s death she displayed them in her New York City apartment. They remained with her until her death in 1962.

Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
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 StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
Not on view
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