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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.
Eleanor Roosevelt Statuette
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Eleanor Roosevelt Statuette

Artifact IDMO 1941.4.13
Object Type Carving
Artist (American sculptor, 1898-1955)
Gifter
Date1940
Mediumwood (pine), stain
Dimensionsoverall H 16 in x W 4 7/8 in x D 3 3/4 in (40.6 cm x 12.4 cm x 9.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small, full-length sculpture of Eleanor Roosevelt in a green dress, carved from natural pine wood and stained. Inscribed on the front of the base: Mrs. Roosevelt. The artist's carved signature is on the reverse of the base: 4-29-40 L.G. Bolling.
Historical NoteNoted African American artist, Leslie Garland Bolling (1898-1955), presented this carved pine figure of Eleanor Roosevelt (and a companion statuette of Franklin Roosevelt) to Eleanor Roosevelt on September 4, 1940. From 1938-1941, Bolling helped operate an arts education center in Richmond, Virginia supported by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Bolling garnered critical attention with his carved wood sculptures of working people and nude figures. He used a scroll saw to rough out a figure’s shape and pocket knives to carve the details, leaving the finished pieces unsanded to expose his tool marks. The statuette is currently on display in the FDR Library's special exhibition, BLACK AMERICANS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE ROOSEVELTS, 1932-1962.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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 StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be 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 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.
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