Abraham Lincoln - Abstract Realism

I painted this portrait using a reference painting by George Healy, and although mine is not close to a reproduction, I still attribute the concept... more

by Georgiana Romanovna

Title

Abraham Lincoln - Abstract Realism

Artist

Georgiana Romanovna

Medium

Painting - Mixed Media Painting

Description

I painted this portrait using a reference painting by George Healy, and although mine is not close to a reproduction, I still attribute the concept from Mr Healy who seemed to have a wonderful insight into capturing the essence of Abraham Lincoln. Despite that, my painting is very much abstract realism with a desire to bring Mr Lincoln into the modern realm and yet retain a realistic human approach.
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Most people know about Abraham Lincoln, but if you don't, here is a little data on him.
An exceptionally astute politician deeply involved with power issues in each state, Lincoln reached out to War Democrats and managed his own re-election in the 1864 presidential election. As the leader of the moderate faction of the Republican party, Lincoln found his policies and personality were "blasted from all sides": Radical Republicans demanded harsher treatment of the South, War Democrats desired more compromise, Copperheads despised him, and irreconcilable secessionists plotted his death.
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Politically, Lincoln fought back with patronage, by pitting his opponents against each other, and by appealing to the American people with his powers of oratory. His Gettysburg Address of 1863 became the most quoted speech in American history. It was an iconic statement of America's dedication to the principles of nationalism, republicanism, equal rights, liberty, and democracy. At the close of the war, Lincoln held a moderate view of Reconstruction, seeking to reunite the nation speedily through a policy of generous reconciliation in the face of lingering and bitter divisiveness. Six days after the surrender of Confederate commanding general Robert E. Lee, however, Lincoln was assassinated by actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln's death was the first assassination of a U.S. president and sent the nation into mourning. Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars and the public as one of the three greatest U.S.

Uploaded

January 7th, 2013