Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Portrait Painting of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Artifact IDMO 1969.21
Object Type
Painting
Artist
Stanislav Rembski
(American painter, 1896-1998)
Date1945
Mediumpainting: paint (oil), canvas
frame: wood, paint, metal
frame: wood, paint, metal
Dimensionsframe H 37 1/2 in x W 32 3/8 in x D 2 3/4 in (95.3 cm x 82.2 cm x 7 cm )
painting (canvas) H 30 1/4 in x W 25 1/8 in (76.8 cm x 63.8 cm )
painting (canvas) H 30 1/4 in x W 25 1/8 in (76.8 cm x 63.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas head and shoulders portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Against a background of broad vertical stripes in red, light gray, and dark brown - reminiscent of the American flag - the painting shows FDR with his head facing forward, and his body turned slightly to the right. He is dressed in a dark suit and tie and a white shirt and is wearing pince-nez glasses. The portrait is signed by the artist along the center right edge [hidden by the frame] near the proper left shoulder: Rembski 1945.
The portrait is framed in a decorative 4½" gold-painted wood frame. Stamped on the reverse of the frame: NEWCOMB-MACLIN CO. / PICTURE FRAMES - MIRRORS - MOULDINGS / 124 WEST 55TH STREET / NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
Historical NoteSlanislav Rembski, who painted a number of prominent people, was a great admirer of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In November 1944, Rembski wrote FDR with an offer to paint his portrait, but FDR's schedule was too full to accommodate a sitting at that time.The portrait is framed in a decorative 4½" gold-painted wood frame. Stamped on the reverse of the frame: NEWCOMB-MACLIN CO. / PICTURE FRAMES - MIRRORS - MOULDINGS / 124 WEST 55TH STREET / NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
In 1945, shortly after FDR's death, Rembski was painting a portrait of Admiral William D. Leahy when the Admiral suggested he do a posthumous portrait of FDR. Rembski undertook the task using photographs and other material furnished by Leahy and Eleanor Roosevelt and produced this portrait.
Rembski donated the painting to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library on November 18, 1968, and a formal presentation of the painting took place at the Library on April 12, 1970, the 25th anniversary of FDR's death.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteLent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Stanislav Rembski in 1967. It was donated by Rembski to the Library in 1968.
Credit LineGift of Stanislav Rembski
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links