Avenue in the Rain Enamel Box

Painted in 1917, just months before the United States entered World War I, Avenue in the Rain captures a moving display of patriotism on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The artist Childe Hassam, regarded as one of the leading American Impressionists, produced some 30-odd paintings of flag-decorated streets between 1916 and 1919. Avenue in the Rain has been in the White House permanent collection since 1963, and has frequently been selected by presidents to hang in the Oval Office during their administration. It is reproduced on the lid of this hand painted enamel box; the American bald eagle is painted on the inside.