Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Description:

Late in 1862, the Union League of Philadelphia commissioned Edward Dalton Marchant to paint Lincoln's portrait for exhibition in Independence Hall as a gesture of support for the president and the Union. Marchant engaged Philadelphia artist John Sartain to engrave the portrait, and mezzotint prints were published by Bradley and Company in 1864 to meet popular demand for the image. The original painting is part of the Union League’s collection, and the Museum owns two copies of the mezzotint print, one an early proof and this one from the standard edition.

The half-length portrait depicts Lincoln seated at a table, holding a quill. A document beneath his arm reads: “Abraham Lincoln, Jan’y 1st, 1863, Will. H. Seward.” It references the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on that date. Part of a large statue is shown at the upper right, a classical figure of Liberty with a broken chain at her feet, another reference to the emancipation of the slaves.

Date Made: 1864

Depicted: Lincoln, AbrahamOriginal Artist: Marchant, Edward DaltonGraphic Artist: Sartain, John

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: SlaveryPolitics

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Graphic Arts, Communications, Abraham Lincoln, Art

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Holzer, Harold; Boritt, Gabor S., and Neely, Mark E., Jr.. The Lincoln Image: Abraham Lincoln and the Popular Print

Credit Line: Robert L. and Wilma W. Bidwell

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1986.1013.01Catalog Number: 1986.1013.01Accession Number: 1986.1013

Object Name: printObject Type: MezzotintOther Terms: print; Mezzotint; Prints

Physical Description: paper (overall material)ink (overall material)Measurements: overall: 43.5 cm x 34 cm; 17 1/8 in x 13 3/8 inimage: 33 cm x 25.5 cm; 13 in x 10 1/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-2f3b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_887913

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