Arthur Hewitt (American, active early 20th century)
President Theodore Roosevelt, 1904
Platinum print, 35 x 27.7 cm (13 3/4 x 10 7/8 in.)
This black and white photograph is a profile view of Theodore Roosevelt in early middle age. He is a light skinned man of medium build who is facing toward the viewer’s right, showing the right side of his face and upper body. He is wearing a dark suit jacket and matching vest. Both garments have wide lapels. A stark white shirt collar and a loosely knotted gray cravat circle his lower neck. Strong light from the right illuminates the center of his face and casts a deep shadow over most of the right side of his head. His chin is slightly raised as he squints directly into the bright light. He wears a neutral expression. His short medium brown hair and bushy mustache are well groomed. A small pair of wire rimmed pince nez glasses are perched on the top of his nose. The background is a plain neutral medium tone. On the mat, below the photograph, is an inscription and the signature of Theodore Roosevelt.
Long Gallery
Commentary
John Singer Sargent painted President Theodore Roosevelt’s portrait in 1903 and possibly acquired this autographed photograph on Gardner’s behalf. She placed it in a case in the Long Gallery alongside other statesmen.