Franklin D. Roosevelt Portrait Watercolour by Beatrice S. Bullock

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

Signed British Watercolour Portrait | American Presidential and Second World War History

Highlights

• An original watercolour portrait dating from the early 1940s.
• Depicts Franklin D. Roosevelt during his historic American presidency.
• Painted by Birmingham watercolourist Beatrice S. Bullock.
• Initialled “BB” to the front of the composition.
• Extensively inscribed on the reverse with the artist’s name and address.
• Roosevelt is identified by name on the original backing.
• Retains the historic pre-decimal price notation “£10.0.0”.
• Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum on 4 April 2026.
• Presented within a traditional gilt frame and double mount.
• An unusual British response to one of the defining political figures of the 20th century.

Introduction

A compelling British watercolour portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, painted during the early 1940s by the Birmingham artist Beatrice S. Bullock.

The American president is portrayed in a three-quarter bust wearing a dark suit, white shirt, patterned bow tie and pince-nez spectacles. Bullock balances formal dignity with personal warmth, presenting Roosevelt as an assured but approachable statesman.

Created during Roosevelt’s lifetime and presidency, the portrait is especially notable as a British interpretation of an American political leader. It reflects the important place Roosevelt occupied within British public consciousness during the Second World War and the strengthening alliance between Britain and the United States.

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)

Type: Political and presidential portrait

Signature: Initialled “BB” to the front

Verso: Fully inscribed with the artist’s name, address and identity of the sitter

Historic price inscription: “£10.0.0”

Frame: Traditional later gilt frame with double mount

Catalogue Note

Roosevelt is positioned against an understated background, allowing his face, attire and recognisable spectacles to command attention. His body turns gently within the picture plane while his gaze remains directed towards the viewer.

The expression is particularly sensitively handled. A restrained smile suggests reassurance and composure, while the eyes remain alert behind the pince-nez spectacles. Bullock avoids excessive formality, instead creating a portrait that conveys both political authority and personal accessibility.

Transparent washes model the face without obscuring the luminosity of the paper. Delicate changes in tone describe the complexion and facial structure, while deeper shades within the suit lend weight and definition to the lower half of the composition.

The palette is disciplined and the brushwork controlled, reflecting the conventions of British watercolour portraiture during the first half of the 20th century.

Historical Context

The portrait dates from a period in which Roosevelt’s leadership held immense international importance.

Having entered office in 1933, Roosevelt led the United States through the economic disruption of the Great Depression and introduced the far-reaching domestic reforms collectively known as the New Deal.

During the Second World War, his administration provided essential support to Britain and the other Allied powers. The Lend-Lease programme and Roosevelt’s close political relationship with Winston Churchill helped establish the transatlantic partnership that became central to the Allied campaign.

For a British artist to select Roosevelt as a portrait subject during this period demonstrates the remarkable reach of his public image. The painting is therefore both a personal artistic interpretation and an object connected to wider Anglo-American wartime history.

The Sitter

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in 1882 and became the 32nd President of the United States.

He remains the only American president elected to four terms, holding office continuously from 1933 until his death in April 1945. His presidency encompassed the Great Depression, the New Deal and most of the Second World War.

Roosevelt’s regular radio broadcasts, known as “fireside chats”, allowed him to communicate directly with the public and cultivate an image of reassurance during periods of national uncertainty.

Although affected by polio from 1921 onwards, he maintained a carefully controlled public image centred upon resilience, optimism and confident leadership. These qualities are subtly reflected in Bullock’s composed likeness.

The Artist

Beatrice S. Bullock was born in 1878 and became an active Birmingham watercolourist during the early decades of the 20th century.

She resided at 14 Kingsleigh Road, Handsworth Wood, the address written on the reverse of this portrait. Bullock produced numerous watercolours depicting buildings and locations within Handsworth and the surrounding Birmingham area.

Her watercolour of Heathfield Hall—the former home of engineer James Watt—was given to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in 1938. She also exhibited locally at Park House in Handsworth Park.

Bullock died on 28 May 1953 at the age of 75. Following her death, a substantial group of her works was loaned to the Handsworth Historical Society.

The documentary inscriptions upon the present portrait connect it directly with Bullock’s recorded Birmingham address and known artistic practice.

Signature and Inscriptions

The portrait is signed with the initials “BB” to the front.

The reverse records the artist as Mrs Beatrice S. Bullock of 14 Kingsleigh Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham.

The sitter is separately identified by the inscription:

“President Franklin Delano Roosevelt”

The historic pre-decimal price “£10.0.0” is also written on the reverse.

Together, these inscriptions provide important evidence for the authorship, subject and early commercial history of the portrait.

Provenance

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

Inscribed on the reverse with the artist’s name, complete address and the identity of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Further inscribed with the historic price “£10.0.0”.

Privately Loaned & Exhibited at the 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 dimensions are approximate.

Condition Report

The watercolour remains in good overall condition, presenting clearly within its later frame.

There is minor toning to the paper consistent with the age and nature of the medium. Historic tape residue and handling marks are visible on the reverse.

The traditional gilt frame and double mount remain in good overall display-ready order. Some small chips and losses are visible around the frame corners, with further light surface wear associated with age and previous use.

The accompanying photographs form part of the condition assessment. Further close-up photographs and additional information can be supplied upon request.

Shipping

Worldwide delivery is available.

The portrait will be professionally packaged with suitable protective materials and fully insured for transit. Please contact us for a tailored international shipping quotation or to arrange collection.

Attribution & Research Notice

The historical observations, provenance research, sitter identification, artist identification and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional, non-guaranteed opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the visible signature and inscriptions, available evidence, comparative research, published reference material, museum and archival records and professional experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. The early 1940s date represents an informed assessment based upon the portrait’s subject, style, materials and historical context. The title President Franklin D. Roosevelt is understood to be a modern descriptive catalogue title derived from the inscription on the reverse. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.