President Franklin D. Roosevelt Portrait Painting (1882–1945) Circa 1940's





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Description



Beatrice S. Bullock (British, 1878–1953)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, circa Early 1940s

Original Signed Watercolour Portrait | British Wartime Political Art

Highlights

• Original early 1940s watercolour portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Painted by documented Birmingham artist Beatrice S. Bullock.
• Signed with the artist’s initials “BB” to the front.
• Fully inscribed verso with the artist’s name and Birmingham address.
• The sitter is identified on the reverse as “President Franklin Delano Roosevelt”.
• Bears the historic price inscription “£10.0.0”.
• A British contemporary interpretation of America’s wartime president.
• Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum on 4 April 2026.
• Presented in a traditional gilt frame with double mount.
• A distinctive work combining American political history and British regional art.

Introduction

An original early 1940s watercolour portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, painted by Birmingham artist Beatrice S. Bullock.

Roosevelt is presented in a dignified three-quarter bust wearing a dark formal suit, white shirt, patterned bow tie and his distinctive pince-nez spectacles. His expression is calm and approachable, capturing the reassuring public image closely associated with his presidency.

Painted in Britain during Roosevelt’s lifetime and presidency, the portrait possesses particular transatlantic significance. It reflects the recognition afforded to Roosevelt in Britain as a principal Allied statesman and an increasingly important figure in the international response to the Second World War.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Beatrice S. Bullock (British, 1878–1953)

Title: President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Date: Circa early 1940s

Medium: Watercolour on paper

Subject: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945)

Signature: Initialled “BB” to the front

Further inscription: Artist’s full name and address recorded verso

Address: 14 Kingsleigh Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham

Historic price: Inscribed “£10.0.0” verso

Presentation: Later gilt frame with double mount

Catalogue Note

Roosevelt is shown turned slightly towards the viewer in a composed three-quarter portrait. His upright but relaxed posture conveys authority without becoming overly formal, while the restrained smile gives the likeness a sense of warmth and accessibility.

Bullock identifies the sitter through several immediately recognisable elements. Roosevelt wears a dark suit jacket, crisp white shirt and patterned bow tie, together with the pince-nez spectacles that became closely associated with his public image.

The face is modelled using transparent watercolour washes that allow the natural luminosity of the paper to remain visible. Soft tonal transitions define the sitter’s features, while darker passages within the jacket create contrast and direct attention towards the face.

The controlled brushwork and understated palette are characteristic of traditional British watercolour portraiture. Rather than presenting Roosevelt through ceremonial grandeur, Bullock portrays him as a thoughtful and quietly authoritative statesman.

Historical Context

The portrait appears to have been painted during the early 1940s, while Roosevelt was serving as President of the United States and becoming an increasingly prominent figure within British public consciousness.

Roosevelt’s support for Britain, the Lend-Lease programme and his close wartime relationship with Winston Churchill established him as one of the central Allied leaders of the Second World War.

His image consequently carried considerable political and emotional significance in Britain. This portrait offers evidence of that transatlantic cultural interest, presenting an American president through the hand of a British regional artist during an important period of international history.

The Sitter

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, in 1882 and served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945.

He was the only American president elected to four terms. His administration introduced the New Deal in response to the Great Depression and guided the United States through the greater part of the Second World War.

Roosevelt became known for his radio “fireside chats”, through which he communicated directly with the American public. Despite the lasting effects of polio, he projected an image of confidence, optimism and political resolve.

The present portrait captures the calm and reassuring public persona that became an important feature of his leadership.

The Artist

Beatrice S. Bullock was a Birmingham-based artist who worked principally in watercolour during the early to mid-20th century.

She lived at 14 Kingsleigh Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham—the same address inscribed on the reverse of this portrait—and painted numerous local subjects.

A watercolour of Heathfield Hall, the former home of James Watt, was given to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in 1938. Bullock also exhibited her work at Park House in Handsworth Park.

She died on 28 May 1953 at the age of 75. A substantial body of her work was subsequently loaned to the Handsworth Historical Society.

Bullock’s documented connection with Handsworth, together with the extensive inscription on the reverse of the present work, provides valuable regional and biographical context.

Signature and Inscriptions

Initialled “BB” to the front.

The reverse is inscribed with the artist’s name and address:

Mrs Beatrice S. Bullock
14 Kingsleigh Road
Handsworth Wood
Birmingham

Further inscribed:

“President Franklin Delano Roosevelt”

The reverse also bears the pre-decimal price notation:

“£10.0.0”

These inscriptions provide direct documentary evidence identifying both the artist and the sitter.

Provenance

By Beatrice S. Bullock (1878–1953), 14 Kingsleigh Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, as inscribed verso.

The artist’s Birmingham address and the identity of the sitter are recorded directly on the reverse.

Historic price inscription “£10.0.0” verso.

Privately Loaned & Exhibited:
Famous Lord Hill Museum, 4 April 2026.

Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions

Visible image:
20 cm high × 15 cm wide

Framed:
41.5 cm high × 36 cm wide × 2 cm deep

All measurements are approximate.

Condition Report

The watercolour presents in good overall condition.

The painted surface remains clean and stable, with minor age-related toning consistent with its period. The reverse displays historic tape residue and handling marks.

The later gilt frame and double mount are in good overall display-ready condition. There are some small chips and losses around the corners of the frame, together with light wear consistent with use and age.

Please inspect all listing photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition report. Further photographs and information are available upon request.



Reserve: $6,480.00

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