Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Lincoln's Second Inaugural
Alternate Title(s):Lincoln Delivering His Second Inaugural Address
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1945
Dimensions:
39 7/8 × 29 1/2 in. (101.3 × 74.9 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1205
Research Number: NCW: 1205
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of panel, Renaissance Panel label No. 1307, dated 11/6/1944; written directly on reverse of panel: Lincoln Delivering / His Second Innaugural (sic) Address / #2659 Shaw - Barton / Engraver: Do Not Apply Vaseline / Or Other Preparation To / Surface of this Painting / Damar Vanish Used / N. C. Wyeth
ProvenancePrivate collection, 1945; (Christie's, New York, NY, Dec. 5, 2002, lot no. 210, but unsold)
Exhibition HistoryChadds Ford, PA, Brandywine River Museum, "Romance in Conflict, N. C. Wyeth's Civil War Paintings," Jan. 22-March 20, 2011
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 292; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.188, p. 700; "Biden's Guest Lists (Welcome, Iowans !) Hint at Ambitions for 2016," New York Times, Jan. 21, 2013, p. A10;
Curatorial RemarksThis commission is documented in detail in letters between the artist and his agent, American Artists Company (NCW to and from Sidney Mendelsohn, Jan. 20, 1945 - March 12, 1945, Wyeth Family Archives). Shaw Barton suggested that Wyeth use a particular photograph by Brady as a model, but Wyeth rejected that source ("it was taken over a year before the 2nd inaugural") and used another Brady photograph and one by Gardner instead--he felt these contained "so much more of the elevated and fateful spirit of those immediate days" (undated draft of letter NCW to Sidney Mendelsohn, Wyeth Family Archives). Authority for the title comes from the Shaw - Barton ledger.
The Brandywine River Museum holds the composition drawing for the image (NCW 2045, 96.1.533) and a private collection includes a drawing that is most likely an alternative composition, showing Lincoln from the chest up.
The Brandywine River Museum holds the composition drawing for the image (NCW 2045, 96.1.533) and a private collection includes a drawing that is most likely an alternative composition, showing Lincoln from the chest up.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Photography directly from painting
Photo Credit:Christie's, 8/2002