I've been meaning to write about this Alexander Gardner portrait for awhile now, but today's mail brought another reason. My beloved got another (!) new Civil War book. When he opened to the pictures in the middle, this was the photograph of Lincoln that appeared. I'm not surprised. I haven't done an empirical study, but lots of anecdotal evidence suggests this image is the preferred Abe of the bicentennial. Look no further than our very own Lincoln's Rhetorical Worlds speaker series: our graphic designer chose this Abe to be consistent with the campus's Abe. Which happens to be the same as Springfield's Abe. And Galesburg's. And the state of Utah's. Etc. Not to mention that this Abe is also the basis for Ron English's weirdly iconic 2008 campaign image, "Abraham Obama."
There could be any number of reasons why this is such a popular representation. It was made by Alexander Gardner, who photographed Lincoln multiple times during his presidency and made some of the best portraits of him. It could be the historical timing; this photograph is known as the "Gettysburg Portrait" because it was made in 1863 just days before Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. And English's mash-up isn't unique. The photograph also has a history of appropriation; it was used as the model for Daniel Chester French's giant sculpture in the Lincoln Memorial.
When all is said and done, though, I think it's the frontality. While I don't have "every known pose" next to me as I write, this photograph is, as far as I recall, the only portrait of Lincoln taken squarely straight-on. There's something so modern about a full-frontal Lincoln who directly addresses us. And so enigmatic, too, with those weary eyes and Mona Lisa half-smile. Garry Wills has argued that the Gettysburg Address was a revolution in style; maybe this Gardner portrait is its visual analog.
There could be any number of reasons why this is such a popular representation. It was made by Alexander Gardner, who photographed Lincoln multiple times during his presidency and made some of the best portraits of him. It could be the historical timing; this photograph is known as the "Gettysburg Portrait" because it was made in 1863 just days before Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. And English's mash-up isn't unique. The photograph also has a history of appropriation; it was used as the model for Daniel Chester French's giant sculpture in the Lincoln Memorial.
When all is said and done, though, I think it's the frontality. While I don't have "every known pose" next to me as I write, this photograph is, as far as I recall, the only portrait of Lincoln taken squarely straight-on. There's something so modern about a full-frontal Lincoln who directly addresses us. And so enigmatic, too, with those weary eyes and Mona Lisa half-smile. Garry Wills has argued that the Gettysburg Address was a revolution in style; maybe this Gardner portrait is its visual analog.
I'd be curious to know if there's been any conversation about the visual representations of W's progression through his years as President. Your comment about Lincoln's weary eyes makes me wonder about a comparison to W. I remember Clinton coming out of office looking much aged. And I'm sure there are other examples of other Presidents. Presumably the stress and worry of being heavily invested in ones job is credited as the source... (Obviously this is a politically loaded/slanted curiosity of mine. Nonetheless...)
Posted by: chris | 19 April 2009 at 11:26 AM