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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.
The Constitution pursued by the English Squadron
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

The Constitution pursued by the English Squadron

Artifact IDMO 1969.30
Object Type Painting
Artist (Chilean, 1878-1942)
Date1933
Mediumpainting: canvas, paint (oil)
frame: wood, paint
Dimensionsframe H 33 in x W 47 in x D 2 in (83.8 cm x 119.4 cm x 5.1 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 29 1/2 in x W 33 1/8 in (74.9 cm x 84.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn oil on canvas painting of the heavy frigate USS CONSTITUTION. It depicts a partially angled view of the three-masted ship, sails unfurled, in calm waters. An American flag flies at the stern. The ship is being towed with heavy ropes by oarsmen in a small open boat to the left of the ship while a fleet of British warships in the background, two of which are firing on the CONSTITUTION, are pursing the ship. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner: H.G. GARCIA / 1933.

The painting is framed in a 2½" bronze-colored wood frame.
Historical NoteThe USS CONSTITUTION had a special attraction for Franklin Roosevelt. The most famous ship of the early American navy, this legendary frigate, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” saw action in the Barbary Wars, the War of 1812, and other conflicts. Over the course of his life, FDR collected books, manuscripts, relics, and over 100 paintings, prints, engravings, and drawings of the ship.

Those who knew of the President’s love of the CONSTITUTION sometimes presented him with gifts connected to the ship.

His Cabinet gave him this painting by Chilean artist, Horatio Garcia, as a birthday present in January 1935. FDR was so pleased with it he later had it hung in his Top Cottage retreat in Hyde Park.

The painting depicts a famous incident involving the CONSTITUTION that would have been familiar to FDR. During the war of 1812, the frigate encountered a squadron of British warships off the coast of New Jersey. The wind died out, leaving the Constitution dead in the water and vulnerable to bombardment by the superior British force. The Constitution’s captain ordered crew members into small row boats attached by rope to the frigate. The men then towed the Constitution out of range of British fire.

Additional Details
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)
Exhibitions
Not on view
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