Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, composition drawing
Alternate Title(s):Lincoln at Gettysburg, composition drawing
Medium: Charcoal on paper
Date: 1945
Dimensions:
sight: 29 x 23 (73.6 x 58.4 cm)
Collection of Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg, Illinois
Gift of Mrs. N. C. Wyeth, 1949
Accession number: SUPP2000.1472
Research Number: NCW: 1472
InscribedLower left: SKETCH / N. C. WYETH
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth, to March, 1949
References
Carl Sandburg, "What Would Lincoln Do Today?," Woman's Day (Feb. 1948), illus. p. 27; "The Sandburg Birthplace" (editorial note), Woman's Day (March 1949), p. 4; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Illustrations, Paintings and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 279
Curatorial RemarksCorrespondence in late July 1945 between N. C. Wyeth and his agent, American Artists Company, makes clear that this image was planned as a cover illustration for Liberty Magazine. Further correspondence with his family in August indicates that Wyeth completed the drawing before leaving for Maine, with the intention of executing the painting after his return to Chadds Ford (all letters, Wyeth Family Archives). The composition was approved by the client, but at the time of his death Wyeth had not begun the painted version of the portrait. According to a check stub notation, American Artists paid Mrs. N. C. Wyeth $187.50 for the drawing in Jan. 1946 (NCW Archives, BRM). American Artists must have placed it with Woman's Day several years later, and its publication in conjuction with text by Carl Sandburg caused her to donate the piece to the Sandburg Historic Site.
The Brandywine River Museum holds an undated archival photo stamped "LANDON / GALESBURG / 105 East Main St.--Ph.1311-6 / GALESBURG, ILLINOIS" which shows the drawing in situ at the Sandburg site. The site reproduced the drawing in a limited number edition sometime between 1958-1966.
The Brandywine River Museum holds an undated archival photo stamped "LANDON / GALESBURG / 105 East Main St.--Ph.1311-6 / GALESBURG, ILLINOIS" which shows the drawing in situ at the Sandburg site. The site reproduced the drawing in a limited number edition sometime between 1958-1966.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:photography directly from artwork
Photo Credit:Courtesy Carl Sandburg Historic Site