Museum Collections
Luce Center
Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt (1863-1892)
Object Number:
1905.216
Date:
1893
Medium:
Watercolor on ivory; silver gilt
Dimensions:
diameter: 2 1/2 in. ( 6.4 cm )
Marks:
signed and dated: at left:"Behenna / 93"
Description:
Gallery Label:
Anna Hall, the mother of Eleanor Roosevelt, was the eldest daughter of Valentine Gill Hall and Mary Livingston (Ludlow) Hall. She was married to Elliott Roosevelt (1860-1894), brother of the future president Theodore Roosevelt, in 1883.
Eleanor Roosevelt opened her autobiography with the declaration: "My mother was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen." She elaborated, "Old Peter Marié, who gave choice parties and whose approval stamped young girls and young matrons a success, called my mother a queen, and bowed before her charm and beauty, and to her this was important." Katherine Behenna successfully captured Anna Roosevelt's beauty and charm in this intimate portrait.
Credit Line:
Gift of the Estate of Peter Marié
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.