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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Artifact IDMO 63.5886
Object Type Portrait
Date 1866
Maker (19th century lithographer)
Medium Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall H 16 1/2 in x W 13 in (41.9 cm x 33 cm )

Physical DescriptionPortrait of Abraham Lincoln created out of words from the Proclamation of Emancipation. Lithograph was printed by Augustus Hageboeck, after an original design by W.H. Pratt. Framed in green oval mat.
Historical NoteAs technological advances made printing easier and less expensive, many 19th century artists found employment creating original artwork for publishers to mass produce as relatively inexpensive prints. Portraits of America's Founding Fathers and decorative reproductions of the texts of the country's founding documents became popular decorations in homes throughout the U.S.

William Henry Pratt's (1822-1893) calligraphic portrait of Lincoln cleverly combines both image and text. Pratt, a penmanship teacher in Iowa, created similar portraits of George Washington out of the words of the of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; and of Ulysses S. Grant from the 1868 Republican Party platform. He also made other versions of the Lincoln portrait, including one with the Emancipation Proclamation translated into German. All were printed by lithographer Augustus Hageboeck (active ca. 1861-1886).
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a member of the general public to the President and Mrs. Kennedy received by the Executive Office of the President betwen 1961-1963 and held by the General Service Administration until it was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view