President Hoover’s astounding personally-owned piece of fabulous artwork kept on display in his White House living quarters during his presidency, consisting of a detailed reverse-painted image of two eagles carrying an American flag set against an iridescent background created with actual butterfly wings. The impressive artwork is housed in its original 23 x 18.5 wooden frame, featuring a wooden backing bearing an affixed tag that reads: “Joalheria Anglo America, Avenida Rio Branco, 29A., Tel. Norte 3729, Rio De Janeiro.” There is some chipping to the white paint in the flag’s stripes but the piece displays beautifully overall. Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from well-known best selling author Lillian Rogers Parks, who was a housekeeper and seamstress at the White House for over 30 years, from Hoover through Eisenhower. In part: “I would like to write this letter by hand. But, after working at the White House with my ‘Mama,’ Maggie Rogers, from the time of President Taft until President Eisenhower, the arthritis in my hand hurts a lot. This most unusual piece of art was a gift from the President and Mrs. Hoover to my Mama, shortly before the Hoovers left the White House in 1932…It depicts two painted eagles holding aloft a hand-painted American flag. The background is totally made up of butterfly wings in beautiful blue and purple colors…The back also has the original label of what is believed to be the studio or seller of the piece. The President and Mrs. Hoover kept this beautiful piece in the family living quarters of the White House during their tenure there. On the day the Hoovers left office, Mrs. Hoover, (Lou Henry Hoover) stood by the elevator and bade good-bye to Mama. It was the first time Mama had ever seen her with tears in her eyes. She said, ‘Maggie, my husband will live to do great things for this country.’” Also accompanied by a candid photo of Parks beside the artwork. An example of creative original art, this is an exceptional presidential relic.
