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President Roosevelt reports on the snowy weather and riding the horses through Rock Creek Park. Edith traveled to Philadelphia, so Roosevelt told stories to Archie and Quentin. He had his last sitting with John Singer Sargent and likes Sargent’s portrait.
1903-02-19
President Roosevelt talks of horseback riding with Edith, and how he has been reading to Archie and Quentin while she is sick. Roosevelt attended the Army and Navy reception where Chief Joseph and seven other Nez Perce Indians came in full war dress. John Singer Sargent is staying at the White House and painting Roosevelt’s picture.
1903-02-15
Henry Bainbridge Chapin sends President Roosevelt a letter from Edward Robinson, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Chapin asks that Roosevelt let Robinson know if he will be in Washington in May so that John Singer Sargent can can come over for the presentation of Roosevelt’s portrait before commencement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-20
President Roosevelt is pleased that the committee in Cuba hung a reproduction of John Singer Sargent’s portrait of him. He is especially glad that Aurelio Melero, a Cuban artist, is the one who made it. He asks Provisional Governor of Cuba Magoon to thank them on his behalf.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-29
President Roosevelt discusses plans to have Gari Melcher paint his portrait. He tells Charles Lang Freer that he cannot give sittings of two hours each. If Melcher is willing to work on Sundays, he could give sittings of three hours, but other days he could only do one hour. Roosevelt will only sit for the portrait at the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-24
President Roosevelt tells John Woodbury about several portraits that he has had or is having done. Roosevelt asks Woodbury if having a replica of a painting by Gari Melchers or John Singer Sargent woulld suffice. He agrees that if his picture is going to be put at Harvard it should be during his presidency, and he is touched by the desire of his classmates to put it there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-05
President Roosevelt would like Ambassador Reid to get in touch with the London Post regarding their reporter A. Maurice Low, who Roosevelt considers “a liar and a slanderer.” Low has cause considerable trouble for the United States government. Roosevelt also shares his enjoyment of a recent exhibition of American artists.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-17
Although “churlish” to decline a portrait by artist Cecile De Wentworth, President Roosevelt gets too many requests to have his portrait painted. However, he asks De Wentworth for a different painting and will discuss it with Father Alexander Patrick Doyle.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-09
President Roosevelt received Henry Bainbridge Chapin’s letter with an enclosure from Douglas Robinson, and says he will not be there until the end of may, and does not think John Singer Sargent would come.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-22
President Roosevelt asks John Woodbury if some “first class man” could make a reproduction of the present painting by John Singer Sargent. In a handwritten addition, Roosevelt mentions he appreciates the desire of the class in the matter and is “greatly touched.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-13
President Roosevelt does not believe that he can take the time to sit for the production of his bust. He vowed after the John Singer Sargent painting that he would not sit for another painting or bust.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-07
President Roosevelt cannot send the picture to an exhibition because it is government property.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-10
President Roosevelt thanks Emily Tuckerman for the clipping and was pleased to see her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-20
If Ambassador George von Lengerke Meyer leaves, President Roosevelt would be pleased to send Henry White to Italy. Roosevelt is pleased that John Singer Sargent has agreed to paint his portrait for the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-15
Edward William Bok understands that Theodore Roosevelt needs to be careful about writing for periodicals other than The Outlook. However, he feels his request will not violate Roosevelt’s commitment. Bok wants to awaken interest in appreciating good pictures by having prominent individuals discuss their favorite pictures to be published with a recreation of the image. He lists the other individuals he has asked for a contribution. The enclosed check is merely an expression of appreciation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-03
Albert Rosenthal again asks Theodore Roosevelt to sit for a portrait commissioned by art “connoisseur” Charles Henry Hart.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-18
John Woodbury informs President Roosevelt that he has received a letter from John Singer Sargent, and it is unlikely he will be able to paint Roosevelt’s portrait. Woodbury is anxious to have a portrait made before Roosevelt leaves office, and suggests Frederick Porter Vinton for the job. Woodbury supposes Roosevelt has heard of the death of Henry Bainbridge Chapin’s son.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-01
Arthur Hamilton Lee is pleased that President Roosevelt was willing to sit for a portrait by Fülöp László, and looks forward to seeing it. He updates Roosevelt on the progress of William Lyon Mackenzie King, who is in England advocating for Roosevelt’s policy on Japanese immigration to English-speaking countries. Lee agrees that such immigration should be limited, and King is making inroads in getting the government to cooperate on this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-31
John Woodbury has spoken to John Singer Sargent about doing the portrait of President Roosevelt intended as a gift to Harvard from the Class of 1880. Sargent does not intend to return to the United States until he can bring some of his Boston Public Library work. The class feels that the portrait will lose some sentiment if it is not hung while Roosevelt is still in office. Woodbury asks if Roosevelt would still like Sargent to do his portrait if he can come in 1908. If not, Ellen Emmet Rand has been suggested as a substitute painter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-03
Arthur Hamilton Lee writes to President Roosevelt about the president’s impending retirement and hopes that it will not impact Anglo-American relations significantly when another man takes office. Lee is distressed about how the papers in New York are covering Roosevelt, as if his character is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He hopes the president continues to shine light in dark places of the securities industry so that scandals will be brought to light. Lee ends his letter requesting that Roosevelt sit for a painter, Fülöp László, for two to three hours and believes that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will agree.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-13