Object Details
Artist
Yousuf Karsh, 23 Dec 1908 - 13 Jul 2002
Sitter
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, 11 Oct 1884 - 7 Nov 1962
Exhibition Label
Eleanor Roosevelt’s life changed radically when her husband (and distant cousin) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to the presidency in 1932. His mobility had been limited since 1921, when he had contracted polio at the age of thirty-nine. Consequently, as first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt often made public appearances in his stead. At the height of the Great Depression, she traveled widely to assess federal relief programs, and during World War II, she flew around the world visiting troops in his place.
When photographer Yousuf Karsh made this portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt, she was already the longest serving first lady, having lived in the White House for over a decade. She is pictured here with a pencil in hand, an allusion to her work as a journalist.
Indeed, she penned over eight thousand columns for her syndicated newspaper feature, wrote twenty-seven books, and had her own radio show.
La vida de Eleanor Roosevelt cambió drásticamente cuando su esposo (y primo lejano) Franklin Delano Roosevelt fue electo presidente en 1932. Él tenía dificultades de movimiento desde 1921, cuando contrajo poliomielitis a la edad de 39 años. Por lo tanto, como primera dama, ella lo sustituía a menudo en funciones públicas. En medio de la Gran Depresión, viajó extensamente para evaluar los programas de ayuda federal, y durante la 2da Guerra Mundial recorrió el mundo visitando a las tropas en nombre del presidente.
Cuando el fotógrafo Yousuf Karsh tomó este retrato, Eleanor Roosevelt era ya la primera dama con más tiempo en funciones, habiendo vivido en la Casa Blanca más de una década. Aquí aparece lápiz en mano, en alusión a su trabajo de periodista. En efecto, escribió 27 libros y más de 8,000 columnas para su sección sindicada en la prensa, y tuvo su propio programa de radio.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh
Date
1944
Object number
NPG.2012.77.89
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Estate of Yousuf Karsh
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 31.5 × 25.5 cm (12 3/8 × 10 1/16")
Sheet: 42.8 × 35.5 cm (16 7/8 × 14")
Mount: 48.3 × 40.6 cm (19 × 16")
Mat (Karsh exhibit): 71.1 × 55.9 cm (28 × 22")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Necklace\Pearl
Costume\Jewelry\Ring
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Writing implement\Pencil
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Female
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Lecturer
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Social Welfare and Reform\Reformer\Activist
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Politics and Government\First Lady\First Lady of US
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: Social Welfare and Reform\Reformer\Humanitarian
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2012.77.89