We continue our presidential-themed Black History Month Wednesdays with Selma Burke – an amazing artist whose history has been all been ignored, despite her long trail of accomplishments. She was tasked to do a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. after winning a Commission of Fine Arts competition. After finding photographs limiting, she reached out to the president to do a sit down in person. Art and Architecture critic, Steven Litt, describes the meeting:
To her surprise, Roosevelt agreed. During a 45-minute sketching session in the White House on Feb. 22, 1944, the loquacious commander in chief peppered the sculptor with so many questions she couldn’t concentrate. Finally, she grabbed Roosevelt’s head in both hands and said: “Mr. President, could you hold your head like this?” Roosevelt stood still, which allowed Burke to sketch his profile on a sheet of brown supermarket paper. To her surprise, the president invited her back the next day for a second session.
A year later, Eleanor Roosevelt visited the artist’s New York studio to view the finished plaque, and told Burke, “I think you’ve made Franklin too young.”
But the artist said: “I didn’t make it for today, I made it for tomorrow and tomorrow. There’s something of a Roman gladiator in there, a strong ruler in a time of war.”
The man credited for the FDR portrait on the dime, John Sinnock, repeatedly denied being influenced by Burke’s bas-relief sculpture, even though he did admit studying a couple of reliefs in preparing himself for the design. He died in 1947, leaving the question open-ended. It’s worth noting, however, that the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and one of FDR’s own sons give credit to Selma Burke for the portrait.
She would go on to start two different art schools, earn numerous numerous awards, and continue a lifelong career of bold sculpture.
I was watching WHEEL OF FORTUNE a long time ago, set on a Navy ship. The contestants were all sailors, mind you! The puzzle was “His face is on the dime.” For an extra $1000, you had to name the person. NONE of the three people knew. WOW. Make of that as you will.
he same can be said for all the black musicians of the 1950s, Sammy Davis notwithstanding. They originated some of the best music and barely got pid even when a white performer had a giant hit
In 1965, I took a Sophomore English class at Langston University in Oklahoma, which was instructed by Melvin B. Tolson, who was a published poet who took part in and taught us about the Harlem Renaissance. Though, I majored in other subjects, it was the most unforgettable class, I ever had.
Thanks Brian. I am a retired history teacher and I still love learning new things about us. Especially, the tidbits that contributed so much. Way to go Selma Burke!
Brian Carroll creator about 6 years ago
We continue our presidential-themed Black History Month Wednesdays with Selma Burke – an amazing artist whose history has been all been ignored, despite her long trail of accomplishments. She was tasked to do a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. after winning a Commission of Fine Arts competition. After finding photographs limiting, she reached out to the president to do a sit down in person. Art and Architecture critic, Steven Litt, describes the meeting:
To her surprise, Roosevelt agreed. During a 45-minute sketching session in the White House on Feb. 22, 1944, the loquacious commander in chief peppered the sculptor with so many questions she couldn’t concentrate. Finally, she grabbed Roosevelt’s head in both hands and said: “Mr. President, could you hold your head like this?” Roosevelt stood still, which allowed Burke to sketch his profile on a sheet of brown supermarket paper. To her surprise, the president invited her back the next day for a second session.
A year later, Eleanor Roosevelt visited the artist’s New York studio to view the finished plaque, and told Burke, “I think you’ve made Franklin too young.”
But the artist said: “I didn’t make it for today, I made it for tomorrow and tomorrow. There’s something of a Roman gladiator in there, a strong ruler in a time of war.”
The man credited for the FDR portrait on the dime, John Sinnock, repeatedly denied being influenced by Burke’s bas-relief sculpture, even though he did admit studying a couple of reliefs in preparing himself for the design. He died in 1947, leaving the question open-ended. It’s worth noting, however, that the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and one of FDR’s own sons give credit to Selma Burke for the portrait.
She would go on to start two different art schools, earn numerous numerous awards, and continue a lifelong career of bold sculpture.
richsolano about 6 years ago
I was watching WHEEL OF FORTUNE a long time ago, set on a Navy ship. The contestants were all sailors, mind you! The puzzle was “His face is on the dime.” For an extra $1000, you had to name the person. NONE of the three people knew. WOW. Make of that as you will.
Diamond Lil about 6 years ago
he same can be said for all the black musicians of the 1950s, Sammy Davis notwithstanding. They originated some of the best music and barely got pid even when a white performer had a giant hit
Charlie Tuba about 6 years ago
Everybody knows you did it? I had no idea who did it.
Daniel Jacobson about 6 years ago
In 1965, I took a Sophomore English class at Langston University in Oklahoma, which was instructed by Melvin B. Tolson, who was a published poet who took part in and taught us about the Harlem Renaissance. Though, I majored in other subjects, it was the most unforgettable class, I ever had.
NRHAWK Premium Member about 6 years ago
Thanks Brian. I am a retired history teacher and I still love learning new things about us. Especially, the tidbits that contributed so much. Way to go Selma Burke!