Abraham Lincoln c. 20th century

Curator: This is Otto J. Schneider's portrait of Abraham Lincoln, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a real melancholy to it, isn't there? The almost haunting gaze and the starkness of the pencil on paper really draws you in. Curator: Absolutely, and it's difficult not to read Lincoln's image outside of the socio-political context of the Civil War and the fight for abolition. What are your thoughts on its role in the history of the American presidency? Editor: Well, the composition, primarily the use of negative space around the subject, emphasizes Lincoln's solitude and introspection. It's very effective. Curator: Indeed. It's a potent reminder of both the progress and the struggles woven into the fabric of the American narrative. Editor: A poignant study in contrasts, structurally and symbolically.