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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.
Saumur, France
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Saumur, France

Artifact IDMO 1972.61
Object Type Painting
Artist (American, 1856-1926)
Date1908
Mediumwatercolor and pencil on paper
Dimensionsframe H 16 7/8 in x W 21 5/8 in x D 5/8 in (42.9 cm x 54.9 cm x 1.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA painting of a house in Saumur, France. It depicts a large cream-colored house, and surrounding buildings, on the bank of a river. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in pencil in the lower left: Charles S. Forbes / Saumur - Aug 1908.

The painting is matted, glazed, and framed in 3/4" brown wood frame.
Historical NoteThe artist of this painting, Charles Stuart Forbes, was a student and, later, close friend and colleague of John Singer Sargent. He was also a cousin of Sara Delano Roosevelt.

Forbes had presented a small series of Venetian watercolor scenes to newlyweds Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in 1905 as a wedding gift (see MO 1972.34 and MO 1972.58-60).

Eleanor was very fond of Forbes' watercolors. After FDR’s death she displayed this one, and the Venetian scenes, in her New York City apartment. They remained with her until her death in 1962.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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