1. Material:
  2. pen and ink (76)

Calligraphic Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Creator:
R. Morris Swander
Location:
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Origin Date:
1865
Materials:
paper, pen and ink
Measurements:
overall: 24 1/2 in x 19 1/2 in
Item ID:
71.2009.081.0333
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Fine Art

Description

This is a lithograph of an commemorative portrait of President Abraham Lincoln featuring the text of the Emancipation Proclamation. It is printed on paper which has then been glued onto a piece of card stock. The top center of the poster features the heading "Emancipation Proclamations". Below the title is a large bust portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, formed by the darkened text of the Emancipation Proclamation. Surrounding the bust/text in the upper right and left corners are floral designs and banners bearing dates; "September 22nd, 1862" on the proper right, and "January 1st, 1863" on the proper left. (These dates correspond to the preliminary issue of the Emancipation Proclamation and the final issue respectively.) Below Lincoln's portrait two facsimnile signatures appear in script: "A. Lincoln" on the viewer's left, and "William H. Seward" on the viewer's right. The bottom corners feature two separate scenes. The bottom left corner of the print depicts a shirtless slave tied to a tree stump, being lashed by a white man with a whip. Below this image appears the date 1860. The opposite or lower right corner of the print features Lady Liberty with a sword in hand and looking forward with a black man kneeling with broken shackles at her feet. Aside the shackled man are two small black boys, one in humble clothing, and the other very well-dressed and reading a book. Beside this boy lies another book with the title, "Public Schools". Behind Lady Liberty stand two soldiers, one black and one white, in front of a tall American flag. Below this image is written the date 1865. The title is found in the bottom center: "Allegorical Portrait of Abraham Lincoln" below which is printed "Respectfully dedicated to the Union Leagues of the United States by the Publishers / Published by the Art Publishing Association of Philadelphia." Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum