Figurehead: Abe Lincoln

Art Historical Context

**Figurehead: Abe Lincoln** by Frances Cohen (c. 1936) captures the spirited likeness of Abraham Lincoln as a ship figurehead, rendered in watercolor and graphite on paper (50 x 39.1 cm). This detailed study showcases Cohen's precise draftsmanship, blending soft watercolor washes for depth and texture with graphite lines for sharp contours, evoking the wood-carved original's weathered patina and dynamic pose. Created as part of the *Index of American Design*—a groundbreaking WPA Federal Art Project from 1935–1942—this artwork documents America's rich folk art heritage during the Great Depress...