This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

 This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was painted by artist Douglas Granville Chandor. Roosevelt sat for the portrait in 1949 at her New York residence. The painting features an inscription on the canvas that reads, “A trial made pleasant by the painter. Eleanor Roosevelt.” 


Upon its completion, the portrait remained in the artist’s collection, along with a matching portrait of President Franklin Roosevelt. After Chandor’s death in 1953, it stayed in the possession of his widow. In 1965, the White House Historical Association obtained the approval of the Roosevelt family to negotiate and acquire the painting. Previously, no portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt existed in the White House Collection.


Once the painting was purchased for the White House collection, Lady Bird Johnson invited more than 250 guests to the White House on February 4, 1966, for the presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt’s official portrait. Three of Roosevelt’s children, Franklin Jr., John, and Anna were in attendance along with Chandor’s wife. 





During the ceremony, Mrs. Johnson stated that there was only one name for Eleanor Roosevelt, “human goodness—sheer, unalloyed, undivertable, human goodness.” She also announced that the portrait would hang in the Entrance Hall “where all the people who come through will see it, because all the people were her concern.” 


Following the ceremony, President Lyndon Johnson joined the first lady in the Blue Room to receive guests. The twin portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt went to the National Portrait Gallery in 1968. 


President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to unveil their portraits to the public on Wednesday, September 7. The White House Historical Association is proud to support the funding of these portraits, as well as the acquisition of the Eleanor Roosevelt portrait, as a critical part of the Association’s mission.


Image: White House Collection/White House Historical Association

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