Theodore Roosevelt

Artist / Maker Christian Petersen (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)

Datec. 1920

MediumBronze

Dimensions12 ¾ x 7 ¾ in. (32.4 x 19.7 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LinePurchased by University Museums. In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Christian Petersen Art Museums, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Object numberUM2014.306

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: This nearly 13 in. tall bronze bas relief plaque by Christian Petersen features a full-length, commanding image of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. In the top-right corner, a presidential crest is shown with an American eagle, and the inscription at the bottom reads “THEODORE ROOSEVELT - AMERICAN.” Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) had a lasting influence on nature and conservation in the United States, shaping environmental policy for generations. Serving as president from 1901 to 1909, he prioritized preserving America’s natural resources by establishing national parks and protected lands. Roosevelt’s administration also supported exhibitions and publications that collaborated with artists, encouraging them to document and promote the nation’s natural heritage. He urged artists to capture the beauty of America’s wilderness, fostering public support for its preservation. In the 1920s, prominent American sculptors Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876–1973) and James Earle Fraser (1876–1953), who were contemporaries of Petersen, created works of art that celebrated Roosevelt’s legacy, featuring wildlife and themes deeply rooted in American history and culture.

SignedSigned lower right: Christian Petersen Sc

Locations