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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.
Development of Western Costume, Plate 18: Byzantine Middle Class
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Development of Western Costume, Plate 18: Byzantine Middle Class

Artifact IDMO 2022.1.21.6
Object Type Print
Maker (American 1935-1943)
Dateca. 1937
Mediumpaper, paint (watercolor), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 11 in x W 8 1/2 in (27.9 cm x 21.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA hand-colored silk screen print of a man and woman, both standing and facing forward, dressed in clothing of the Byzantine middle class. The man is wearing a purple dalmatica (tunic) with gold trim, and a red paludamentum (cloak) and cap. In his left hand he holds a small, jeweled box. The women is wearing a green stola (robe) with gold trim over a longer gold underdress, and a flat, gold cap over a white veil. An illustration of a Byzantine church (possibly St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy) is in the background. Printed below the images is text that reads: PLATE NO. 18 / BYZANTINE MIDDLE CLASS / 400 A.D. 1100 A.D. Printed in the upper left is a keystone insignia inside which is text that reads: MUSEUM / EXTENSION / PROJECT / WPA / PENNA.

Stamped in green ink on the reverse of the print: PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY / 419 SOUTH 19TH STREET / PHILADELPHIA.
Historical NoteThis print is one in a group of costume plates (see MO 2022.1.21.1-12) published by the Pennsylvania branch of the Works Projects Administration's (WPA) Museum Extension Project during the Great Depression. The prints were part of a larger series of images of period costume designs through the ages, created as educational visual aids.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Cheryl and Gerald Hale in 2021.
Credit LineGift of Cheryl and Gerald Hale
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the New Deal (National Archives Identifier 750981)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view