Explore the newest exhibition, “Imitative Lincoln: Art Derived from Photographs.” Focusing on the ways artists have recreated Lincoln’s likeness from the photographs he sat for in his life, the exhibit will include a wide range of artistic techniques, from 19th century engravings to modern day mosaics, demonstrating how Lincoln has inspired artists over time.
An emerging technology, photography evolved during Abraham Lincoln’s lifetime. More than 130 photos feature Lincoln. Before the advent of cheap photo printing and reproduction, and especially the half-tone image, newspapers and magazines relied on the work of artists to create engravings and woodcuts to provide imagery for publications. Artists creating new works also looked to photographs to spare subjects from lengthy sittings. After he was murdered, only photos and imagination remained to inspire new works featuring Lincoln as subject. Nearly all artwork depicting Lincoln is somehow derived from photographs.
See the exhibit online.
