A Photographic Study On Abraham Lincoln

The bronze Abraham Lincoln, created by Daniel Chester French in 1916, is situated among other bronzes and statues in the American Art Gallery of Chicagos Art Institute. It is a miniature of the full-sized marble statue that sits in Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.  The larger statue took four years to complete and was ready by the time the memorial was dedicated in 1922.

I´ve always been fond of the Lincoln Memorial and have been there numerous times. But I´ve never managed to get some decent close-up shots of the statue itself, because it sits quite high and presents itself in an awkward angle for most camera equipment. The bronze in the Art Institute on the other hand is at eye level and can be walked around, thus making it easy to capture with any camera.

In a difficult hour of decision, Lincoln sits in deep contemplation. There are many nice details on and about the bronze. An urban legend says that Lincoln is showing sign language, his left hand shaped to form an A and his right hand shaped to form an L.  Because he had a deaf son, French was familiar with the American Sign Language and it is generally believed that he intended this gesture. Another reason may be Lincolns support for Gallaudet University, an institution for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Chicago Galleries