Description

This lithograph is a composite of the family of President Abraham Lincoln gathered together in a parlor setting. Since the Lincoln family never posed together for any artist or photographer, many artists used photographs of the individuals to compose a family scene for printing after Lincoln's death. In this print Mrs. Lincoln is seated to the viewer's left and holding a handkerchief in her left hand while her right hand rests on her son's back. A young boy, supposedly Tad, stands at his mother's right side holding a drum and drumsticks. Robert, the older son, wearing a military uniform stands behind his mother resting his left arm on the top of her chair. At the opposite end of the table a boy who looks like Tad but is supposed to be Willie stands to the his father's right holding the book the two of them are viewing. President Lincoln is seated and is holding a smaller book in his right hand. A shawl or blanket is thrown over the back of his chair. On the table are a vase of flowers, a cup and saucer, and another book. Two paintings hang on the wall, one on each end. The title and the publisher's information are in the lower margin. Below the title: "Respectfully dedicated to the people of the United States." This print is very similar to 71.2009.081.1883. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum