Franklin D. Roosevelt Inaugural Medal

Copied Paul Manship, Franklin D. Roosevelt Inaugural Medal, 1933, bronze, 3 in. (7.7 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.132

Artwork Details

Title
Franklin D. Roosevelt Inaugural Medal
Artist
Date
1933
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 in. (7.7 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Architecture — boat — ship
  • Allegory — place — America
  • Allegory — place — United States
  • Portrait male — Roosevelt, Franklin Delano — head
Object Number
1966.47.132
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.132

Artwork Description

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president of the United States in November 1932, the first of four terms. For this inaugural medal by Paul Manship, Roosevelt suggested the design for the reverse, which shows the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") surrounded by Longfellow's famous verse "Thou too sail on, O Ship of State, Sail on, O Union, strong and great." The collaborative relationship between Roosevelt and Manship dated to 1919, when Roosevelt was still assistant secretary of the Navy and Manship had advised him on a change to the design of the Navy's Medal of Honor.