Existing comment:
(1) President Abraham Lincoln, 1993
Douglas Q. Edwards
As a child in England, Douglas Q. Edwards was obsessed with all things American. Through his studies, Edwards learned of Abraham Lincoln's humble beginnings and clever wit; and was attracted to his honorable character, belief in right over wrong, and sensitivity to the inhumanity of slavery. Visually, he was captivated by Lincoln's sunken, war-weary eyes, long nose, wide lips and oversized ears with sideburns that stretched, it seemed, to extreme limits over prominent cheekbones.
As is the case with many of Edwards' artworks, underneath the portrait there is an "under painting" of the final representation. Edwards then allows this monochromatic under painting -- often in raw sienna or burnt umber -- to show through in specific areas of the primary portrait layers.
(2) Abraham Lincoln, ca 2008
Acosta
Gift of Douglas Jemal
(3) Blue Abe, 2009
Hunt Slonem
Hunt Slonem's fascination with President Lincoln began with a curiosity about Mary Todd Lincoln's use of psychic mediums to hold seances at the White House. This interest led him to paint a group of portraits of Mrs. Lincoln in 2001. Over the past seven years, Shonem has worked with a psychic healer, through whom he says President Lincoln began speaking to him and guiding his art. It was during these sessions that Lincoln told him to paint doves, which initiated an abundant new series of bird-related paintings. Although not his primary focus, he continues to paint a variety of Lincoln portraits.
(4) Lincoln's Sword, 2010
Rich Thompson
Rich Thompson is a self-taught artist, who has been a fan of Abraham Lincoln since the first time he visited Ford's Theatre as an eight year old. Rich has never forgotten the overwhelming presence and sense of awe he felt as he walked into the theatre.
As the Civil War raged on, Lincoln stood tall, confident in his ideals and convinced that the course he had taken was necessary to preserve the young nation. Yet he also remained compassionate towards his foes and the great losses they suffered. His aspiration and determination to shape and reunify the nation would come at the highest cost to him and the families of over 600,000 men who lost their lives in the war. Here, near the end of his tenure, Lincoln stands haggard, hallowed and besieged by the carnage. For the artist, the ink from Lincoln's "sword" represents not only how Lincoln's words would help reshape the nation, but also attests to the bloodshed that made reunification possible.
(5) Second Inauguration, 2009
Rich Thompson
The idea for Second Inauguration came after Thompson completed a portrait of Lincoln based on a photograph taken in early February 1865 by Lewis Emory Walker. Lincoln's hair, unusually short and spikes, was the result of a haircut he had in preparation for a life mask created by Clark Mills. For Thompson, this image of Lincoln reflects a leader who was feeling pretty good by the time of his second inaugural -- he had won reelection, the war was nearing its end and the 13th amendment was ratified. |