1. Creator/Author:
  2. William Pate (8)

Abraham Lincoln

Creator:
William Pate
Location:
unknown place made
Origin Date:
1863-1870
Materials:
paper, print
Measurements:
overall: 30 3/4 in x 16 1/2 in
Item ID:
71.2009.081.0474
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Fine Art

Description

This color print features a full-length portrait of President Lincoln standing next to a table. His right hand is at his waist holding his shawl and his left hand is resting on the table. The wall behind him is green and the floor is checkered. Lincoln has red hair, a beard and is wearing a black suit, coat, bow tie and a white shirt. This image is a composite of Lincoln's head on the body of John C. Calhoun. Printmaker William Pate created a mezzotint engraving based on Alexander Ritchie's 1852 engraving of John Calhoun by replacing Calhoun's head with the head of Abraham Lincoln but keeping Calhoun's body possibly to give Lincoln a more dignified and patriotic appearance. In the Calhoun image, the papers on the table say “Strict Constitution,” “Free Trade,” and “the Sovereignty of the States.” In this Lincoln image, these words have been changed to read, “Constitution,” “Union,” and “Proclamation of Freedom.” Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum