Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
Caricature of Bernard Baruch
Artifact IDMO 1944.26.6.1
Object Type
Drawing
Artist
Al Hirschfeld
(American caricaturist, 1903-2003)
Dateca. 1943
Mediumpaper (illustration board), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 6 1/4 in x W 8 1/8 in (15.9 cm x 20.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original pen and ink caricature of Bernard Baruch in the form of a dog. Baruch's face - sporting bushy eyebrows and pince-nez spectacles - is placed on the body of a dog with long ears and long, shaggy hair. The drawing is unsigned by the artist.Baruch'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 Bernard Baruch 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.
Bernard Baruch (1870-1965) was a financial speculator and political consultant for both Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Baruch was chairman of the War Industries Board during World War I and was a major contributor to the Democratic Party. During the campaign of 1932, Baruch became a member of the “Brain Trust,” an advisory group of academics and intellectuals.
Baruch advised FDR on business and financial interests and played a role in the development of different New Deal agencies. During World War II, he advised FDR on the management of the wartime economy and was appointed as a special advisor to the Office of War Mobilization. Even as a presidential advisor, Baruch had a very cool relationship with FDR. However, Baruch held a very close relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt. Their relationship would last from the Wilson Administration to her death, with Eleanor relying on Baruch for advice and support. He was an ardent supporter of Eleanor’s Arthurdale project as well as a financial supporter for some of her other worthy causes.
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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