Who painted Emancipation Proclamation?

Emancipation Proclamation was painted by A.A. Lamb in 1864 or after.

Where can I see Emancipation Proclamation?

Emancipation Proclamation is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Emancipation Proclamation?

Emancipation Proclamation is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Emancipation Proclamation?

Museum-quality prints of Emancipation Proclamation are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Emancipation Proclamation

A.A. Lamb , 1864

Emancipation Proclamation is an oil painting by the Realist artist A.A. Lamb. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right, on rock: A.A. Lamb.; formerly on reverse (photograph in object file [1955.11.10] in NGA curatorial records): EXHIBI[T] / [A]ND MEC / []

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Abraham Lincoln stands prominently, surrounded by figures of the Union and Confederate armies, while the United States Capitol rises in the background.

A.A. Lamb’s history painting presents an allegorical interpretation of the Emancipation Proclamation, combining real and symbolic elements. Abraham Lincoln stands prominently, surrounded by figures of the Union and Confederate armies, while the United States Capitol rises in the background. The inclusion of a chariot, a classical emblem of triumph or progress, and multiple flags of both the United States and the Confederate States reinforces the national divide and the transformative nature of the proclamation.

By showing Lincoln alongside military forces and allegorical devices, the work elevates the Proclamation from a political act to a symbolic turning point in the Civil War, representing emancipation as a victory for Union ideals and a historic step toward freedom.

History & Provenance

The painting is attributed to A.A. Lamb and was created in 1864 or later. Its provenance begins in Pennsylvania before passing through the dealership of Avis and Rockwell Gardner in Stamford, Connecticut. The Gardners sold the work in 1949 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who subsequently gifted it to the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in 1955. No commission is documented.

The painting is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It was gifted to the museum in 1955 by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, having been acquired by them in 1949 from the dealership Avis and Rockwell Gardner of Stamford, Connecticut. The work is recorded as originating from Pennsylvania. No exhibition history is noted in the available sources.

Overview

The painting titled Emancipation Proclamation is an oil on canvas work depicting a pivotal moment of Union victory and liberation. It features a Union officer with a drawn sword, confronting a fallen Confederate flag, while a formerly enslaved man stands nearby, holding a broken chain. A rearing horse adds to the dramatic composition, emphasizing the urgency and impact of the historical event it commemorates.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a distinct visual approach to convey the intensity of the depicted scene. Bold colors are utilized throughout the composition, contributing to a sense of immediacy and heightened drama. This stylistic choice aims to underscore the gravity and transformative nature of the moment, making the historical event feel impactful and urgent to the viewer.