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Victory and Death

Creator:
Harper's Weekly, Thomas Nast
Location:
New York, New York
Origin Date:
1865
Materials:
paper
Measurements:
overall: 22 1/8 in x 16 in
Item ID:
71.2009.081.2805
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Fine Art

Description

This two-page illustration is from the June 10, 1865, issue of Harper's Weekly in memorial to the death of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865. The large center circle focuses on the representation of Death standing in front of a throne. A warrior kneels in grief at the bottom of the steps leading to the throne with his helmet and sword on the floor in front of him. The title and a brief poem are printed on a plaque at the bottom of the circle. In the top corners in much smaller circles are scenes of grief over the death of the president, one in the home of a northern family and the other in the home of an African American family. The words Abraham Lincoln, Our Martyred President are centered between the two smaller circles. Below the large circle illustration are three smaller illustrations. To the viewer's left is a street scene of celebration at the news of General Lee's surrender to General Grant on April 11, 1865. The scene in the center features Britannia comforting Columbia in front of President Lincoln's casket which is draped with a large American flag. The final scene to the viewer's right illustrates the funeral procession with the catafalque in New York City making its way to City Hall. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum