Collection Search
The Illegal Last Portrait of Abraham Lincoln From the Flesh
- Creator:
- Pierre Morand
- Location:
- New York, New York
- Origin Date:
- 1865
- Materials:
- paper, pencil
- Measurements:
- overall: 14 1/2 in x 13 in
- Item ID:
- 71.2009.081.0537
- Holding Institution:
- Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
- Available for Viewing:
- No
- Category:
- Fine Art
Description
This original pencil drawing is a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in the casket as his body lay in state in City Hall in New York on April 25, 1865, at 2:00 a.m. he is shown wearing a suit coat, vest, and bow tie. Lincoln's eyes are closed. The top of the paper is cut irregularly. "City Hall New York 25 April 1865" is written in the artist's hand at the bottom of the portrait. This sketch is one of two original sketches made by artist Pierre Morand against the orders of Secretary of War Stanton who had prohibited any images of Lincoln's body to be made. Being illegal, it was kept in secrecy and unknown for almost a century until discovered among the artist's papers. See another sketch of President Lincoln by this artist by going to ID number 71.2009.081.0765. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
