Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln)

Priscilla Roberts, Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln), 1961-1962, oil on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by David S. Purvis, 2009.12
Priscilla Roberts, Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln), 1961-1962, oil on board, 19 × 16 in. (48.3 × 40.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by David S. Purvis, 2009.12

Artwork Details

Title
Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln)
Artist
Date
1961-1962
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
19 × 16 in. (48.3 × 40.6 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by David S. Purvis
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on board
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Lincoln, Abraham — head
Object Number
2009.12
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2009.12

Artwork Description

Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln) shows two well-known sculptures—Leonard Volk's 1860 life mask of Abraham Lincoln and Nike of Samothrace, the classical sculpture of the winged goddess of victory. Life Mask (Abraham Lincoln) is open to many interpretations. The classical statue, silhouetted in the foreground, may symbolize Lincoln's victory during the Civil War, but the muted colors and deep shadows suggest a more somber meaning. Roberts leaves the viewer wondering if this painting celebrates Lincoln's legacy, represents his mortality, or suggests that victory was overshadowed by his death.

Works by this artist (19 items)

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Frank Paulin, The Strange One, Times Square, 1956, printed later, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bruce and Silke Silverstein, 2010.14.13
The Strange One, Times Square
Artist
Date1956, printed later
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Frank Paulin, Hamburger, 1958, printed later, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bruce and Silke Silverstein, 2010.14.11
Hamburger
Artist
Date1958, printed later
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Frank Paulin, Parking Lot, 1955, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bruce and Silke Silverstein, 2010.14.4
Parking Lot
Artist
Date1955
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Frank Paulin, Cadillac on Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida, 1967, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bruce and Silke Silverstein, 2010.14.2
Cadillac on Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida
Artist
Date1967
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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plaster cast
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Joseph E. Renier, Omar N. Bradley Distinguished Service Award for Distinguished Contribution to National Security (design for obverse), 1950, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier, 1967.93.21
Omar N. Bradley Distinguished Service Award for…
Artist
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plaster
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Charles William Eliot Medal
Artist
Date1924
plaster
Not on view
William Zorach, Fidelity, ca. 1950, cast plaster relief, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.22
Fidelity
Artist
Dateca. 1950
cast plaster relief
Not on view