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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.
USS Congress and USS Susquehanna Painting
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS Congress and USS Susquehanna Painting

Artifact IDMO 1957.42
Object Type Painting
Artist
Dateca. 1857
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsframe H 19 5/8 in x W 28 5/8 in x D 1 3/8 in (49.8 cm x 72.7 cm x 3.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA painting of the frigate, USS CONGRESS, and the sidewheel steam frigate, USS SUSQUEHANNA, in the Bay of Naples, Italy. It depicts a close-up side view of the three-masted CONGRESS, sails unfurled, and flying an American flag at the stern. In the left background, the three-masted SUSQUEHANNA is seen with sails furled, smoke billowing from the smokestack, and an American flag flying at the stern. The mountainous Naples coastline is seen in the distant background.

The painting is framed in a 1¾" black wood frame with gilt inner trim.
Historical NoteThis painting of the USS CONGRESS (1841) and USS SUSQUEHANA (1850) was presented to Franklin Roosevelt in February 1934 by Captain Frank Landon Humphreys of Boynton, Florida who was a descendant of Joshua Humphreys, the designer of the ships, CONSTITUTION, CONSTELLATION, PRESIDENT, and CONGRESS.

FDR displayed the painting directly behind his desk in his private study in the White House residence.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view