Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois
June 3, 1860, printed c. 1880
Medium
Platinum print
Dimensions
Image/paper: 22.7 × 17.7 cm (8 15/16 × 7 in.)
Classification
platinum print
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
49356
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Alexander Hesler, a noted commercial photographer based in Chicago, arranged two portrait sessions with Lincoln, in 1858 and 1860. The images from their first session displayed the presidential candidate with disordered and messy hair. During the subsequent election campaign, the Republican National Committee grew concerned that Lincoln might appear unkempt compared to his opponent, Stephen A. Douglas. Hesler therefore produced this more dapper and well-groomed representation of the candidate at...