Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Born in Kentucky, February 12, 1809 Possibly 1860

Winslow Homer created this print of Abraham Lincoln, born in Kentucky, in 1860. It appeared in Harper's Weekly, a popular journal subtitled “A Journal of Civilization.” It's hard to look at this image outside of the context of the American Civil War. At the time it was published, the United States was on the brink of collapse, deeply divided along the lines of race, class, and regional identity. Harper’s Weekly was a Republican paper, intent on promoting the party's values and solidifying its base. This image is an exercise in crafting identity, an attempt to create the image of a leader capable of unifying the country. Lincoln stands as a figure of authority and morality, the book upon which his hand rests suggests a foundation in law and order. He stares solemnly ahead, burdened by the weight of the nation. Homer creates a representation of Lincoln that speaks to the complexities of leadership during times of profound social change.