Description

This print depicts President Abraham Lincoln standing over a woman who leans over in a chair in front of him. Lincoln wears a dark jacket, pants, vest, and shoes, as well as a white collared shirt and black bow tie. The woman wears a white dress with a pink tint at the bottom as well as a floral patterned shawl that has fallen around her waist. The woman has a handkerchief in her right hand as it is up to her forehead, and her left hand is outstretched toward Lincoln. Lincoln holds an envelope in his right hand while his left arm is outstretched to place his hand atop the woman's head. The room has red carpet, and a chair sits behind Lincoln while the woman sits in a chair that belongs to the desk next to her. The desk is cluttered with papers and a lamp, and a fireplace stands in the background with various objects on the mantle. A framed picture hangs above the fireplace, and a chandelier hangs above the desk. A Union soldier stands guard at the door while people stand behind him waiting to see Lincoln. The artist's signature is written in the bottom left corner. The following description is printed below the image: LINCOLN'S LAST OFFICIAL ACT FROM A PAINTING BY J. L. G. FERRIS IT WAS DURING during the afternoon of April 14th, 1865, that "Father Abraham," as Lincoln was lovingly called, approved a request for the discharge of a Confederate prisoner, on his taking the oath of allegiance. On the petition he wrote "LET IT BE DONE" Reverse Side: The reverse side features World War I General John J. Pershing in his military uniform. Pershing is inside a frame with a facsimile of his signature at the bottom of the page. The header for The Ladies' Home Journal is at the top of the page. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum