Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © William Pachner.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Portrait
Artifact IDMO 1952.380
Object Type
Painting
Artist
William Pachner
(American, 1915-2017)
Date1944
Mediumpainting: paint (gouache), paper
frame: wood, paint, plastic (acrylic), paper (mat board)
frame: wood, paint, plastic (acrylic), paper (mat board)
Dimensionsframe H 38 1/4 in x W 32 1/8 in x D 1 3/4 in (97.2 cm x 81.6 cm x 4.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA head and shoulders portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Against the background of a vibrant blue sky, the painting shows FDR turned slightly to the left. He is wearing an animated expression on his face as he speaks into several microphones placed in front of him. The artist's signature is in the lower right: Pachner 44.
The painting is framed in a 3" red and gold painted frame by Henri Heydenryk of New York, New York. The framer's sticker is adhered on the bottom of the reverse side.
Historical NoteThis portrait of President Roosevelt was painted by William Pachner in 1944 for reproduction on the cover of the January 27, 1945, edition of Collier’s magazine. Shortly after that the artist presented it to FDR as a gift in January 1945. The painting is framed in a 3" red and gold painted frame by Henri Heydenryk of New York, New York. The framer's sticker is adhered on the bottom of the reverse side.
Pachner’s painting is based on Ben Heller’s October 29, 1940, photograph of FDR addressing a crowd at the newly completed Queens-Midtown Tunnel in New York City. Roosevelt’s speech took place at the climax of the 1940 presidential campaign, when he was running for a precedent-shattering third term. This is a vibrant, confident, and optimistic Franklin Roosevelt at the height of his power and influence.
Additional Details
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 - PartlyCopyright(c) William Pachner. Copyright and other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. 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.
Free and continued use of the image has been granted for NARA/Franklin D. Roosevelt Library exhibit purposes, publications, promotional material, museum store material, educational purposes, and other purposes related to the mission of NARA and the Library. The permission for free use is granted solely to NARA and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.In Collection(s)
Not on view
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