Artwork
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Douglas Volk. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left: c 1908 / Douglas Volk
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Mellon Collection at the National Gallery of Art, where its display underscores its role in preserving Lincoln's image within American cultural memory.
The painting, an oil on canvas portrait by Douglas Volk created in 1908 and reworked in 1917, depicts Abraham Lincoln as its central figure. As a portrait, it functions as an iconographic representation of Lincoln, emphasizing his status as a foundational national leader. The work measures 51.4 × 41 cm and belongs to the Andrew W. Mellon Collection at the National Gallery of Art, where its display underscores its role in preserving Lincoln's image within American cultural memory.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in oil on canvas and measures 51.4 × 41 cm. The composition centers on Lincoln's head and shoulders against a neutral background. No further documented details regarding the artist's handling, surface, or condition are provided in the available sources.
History & Provenance
Douglas Volk painted Abraham Lincoln in 1908, later reworking the canvas in 1917. The work's early ownership passed from Alfred Seligman in New York to his son Isaac Seligman, after which a family member presented it to a War Relief Sale. An unspecified dealer subsequently purchased it, and Volk himself reacquired the painting.
On 2 February 1918, Thomas B. Clarke of New York bought it from Volk; after Clarke's death the work remained with his estate. On 29 January 1936, it was sold through M. Knoedler & Co. as part of the Clarke collection to The A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust in Pittsburgh. In 1947 the trust gave the painting to the National Gallery of Art, where it entered the Andrew W. Mellon Collection.
Overview
Douglas Volk, an American artist recognized for his portraits and figure paintings, completed this oil on canvas depiction of Abraham Lincoln in 1908. Volk's artistic practice spanned various genres, including murals, and he was also a prominent educator. This work represents his engagement with historical portraiture, capturing the likeness of the 16th U.S. president.
Context
Douglas Volk was a significant figure in American art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, not only as a painter but also as an influential educator. He held teaching positions at prominent institutions such as Cooper Union and the Art Students League of New York. His involvement in art education underscores his commitment to artistic development and his role in shaping the next generation of American artists, alongside his own painting practice.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Stephen Arnold Douglas Volk (February 23, 1856 – February 7, 1935) was an American portrait and figure painter, muralist, and educator.
