Abraham Lincoln 1928

Timothy Cole made this portrait of Abraham Lincoln as an engraving, no date given. Look at the way the marks make up the image, its all about process, building form with tiny hatching and cross-hatching. I find the face especially interesting. Cole really captures Lincoln's kind of worn, craggy features. Notice how the fine lines around the eyes and mouth create a sense of depth and character. It's like he's mapping Lincoln's very soul! It makes me think about the weight of responsibility, the toll it takes. Engraving is such a painstaking process, but there's something about the precision that feels very appropriate for a portrait of such an iconic figure. It reminds me a little of Holbein, in its attention to detail. Of course, unlike painting, engraving is a reproductive process, something that gives it a different kind of aura. There is an element of mechanical precision in this piece, which can be interpreted in different ways. Ultimately, what interests me most is the way these marks come together to create a lasting image of a man who shaped history.