Life mask of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

1860

Bronze

Overall: 9 x 7 1/2 x 6 in. ( 22.9 x 19 x 15.2 cm )

Gift of Mrs. John V. Irwin

1939.583

Sculptor Leonard Volk first became acquainted with Lincoln in 1858 when invited to travel with Lincoln's entourage on the train that took him and Stephen A. Douglas on their legendary debating tour. Lincoln promised then that when he came to Chicago, where Volk had his studio, he would pose for a portrait bust. In the spring of 1860, Leonard Volk captured Lincoln's famous image in a plaster life mask, which he later used to create a bust and a full-length statue for the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Upon seeing the mask, Lincoln said to Volk: "There is the animal himself." This hauntingly realistic bronze cast was made in 1886 from the original plaster mask.

DescriptionDark brown patinated bronze life mask.

MarkingsInscribed on back under chin: "copyright 1886 by Leonard W. Volk"; inscribed on back: "THIS CAST WAS MADE FOR PAYSON MERRILL, A SUBSCRIBER TO THE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE AND PRESENTATION TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OF THE ORIGINAL MASK MADE IN CHICAGO APRIL 1860 BY LEONARD W. VOLK FROM THE LIVING FACE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THIS CAST WAS TAKEN FROM THE FIRST REPLICA OF THE ORIGINAL IN NEW YORK CITY FEBRUARY 1886"

ClassificationsSCULPTURE