Abraham Lincoln c. 20th century

Curator: This is Otto J. Schneider's "Abraham Lincoln," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The etched lines give it a melancholic air. Editor: Yes, it has a certain gravity. Consider how Lincoln is presented: the averted gaze, the lines etched into his face, speaking of experience and perhaps, resignation. The bow tie almost feels like a weight. Curator: And it’s "printed by the artist" as the notation states. That makes it more than just a portrait; it's an artifact of labor. Editor: Absolutely. Lincoln, as archetype, embodies integrity and strength. That Schneider chose to depict him this way tells us about the nation's enduring, if sometimes fraught, relationship with its past. Curator: It is fascinating how the printing process itself becomes part of the historical narrative. Editor: A powerful visual echo.