The Lincoln Portrait
A Remarkable National Treasure
“It is the most extraordinarily good portrait of my father I have
ever seen and it impressed me deeply as a work of art.”
- Robert T. Lincoln
In 1908, the great American sculptor Gutzon Borglum created a masterpiece. It is called The Lincoln Portrait. It and is
widely recognized as the most life-life portrait ever done of this great American President, and remains one of our nation’s most treasured works of art. It is on display in the crypt at the center of the Capital building in Washington DC.
In honor of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, a limited edition of 35 bronzes of the Lincoln Portrait is
being made available to collectors and Lincoln enthusiasts from around the world.
“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal . . . this government of the people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863.
The Lincoln Portrait
The Lincoln Portrait is one of the greatest presidental portraits ever done. To this day, it remains one of America’s most
treasured works of art. Created by the renowned American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the artist who created Mount
Rushmore, it is considered to be the most realistic portrait of Abraham Lincoln ever created.
Borglum’s great achievement with The Lincoln Portrait was that he was able to convey the very essence of Lincoln’s character and soul. “You will
find written in this face literally all the complexity of his great nature,” said Borglum after creating the unforgettable bust. Upon seeing the bust of his
beloved father Robert T. Lincoln commented, “It is the most extraordinary portrait of my father I have ever seen and it impressed me deeply as a work
of art which speaks for itself in the most wonderful way”.
The Lincoln Portrait is an artistic and historical masterpiece. It allows us to experience the emotional depth of Lincoln unlike any other representation
of him. We feel the weight of his thoughts, the pensiveness of his heart, and his stalwart commitment to the ideals of American democracy. The bronze
stands an impressive 18 inches tall and is mounted on 5 inch high American black granite base. Total height, approximatly 23 inches. Total weight,
approximately 75 pounds.
A bronze cast of the heroic size marble sculpture in Washington, DC is at the Tomb of Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.
The bronze sculptures in this limited edition series are enormously valuable because they are cast from the original
portrait done painstakingly by Borglum in plaster. They are not a reduction or a copy of the six ton marble bust that
Borglum carved from his original plaster. They are cast directly from the piece that contained all of Gutzon Borglum’s
inspiration, creativity and artistic judgements.
For decades, the original plaster portrait was stored in the archives of the Rushmore Borglum Historical Center in
Keystone, South Dakota. To commemorate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the Center is allowing temporary use of the original plaster for the creation of 35 bronzes to be made available for purchase by the general public.
The casting of these bronzes is historic and being done with great deliberation and skill. Each bronze sculpture will
be cast exclusively by the official conservators of the Rushmore Borglum Historical Center. Each will be individually
poured and finished, and will bear Gutzon Borglum’s signature exactly as he signed the original, the edition number,
copyright symbol and date. A Certificate of Authenticity and Ownership will be issued by the Rushmore Historical
Center for each bronze.
The Sculptor
The greatest American sculptor who created the greatest presidential monument of all time.
“American, drawn from American sources memorializing American experiences.”
- an interview with Borglum in 1908 where he explains the kind of art he creates
(John) Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (March 25, 1867 – March 6, 1941) is widely regarded as one of America’s greatest sculptors. He is best known for
creating one of America’s most beloved monuments – the colossal sculptures of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln
and Theodore Roosevelt at Mount Rushmore. Big, brash almost larger than life, only a man like Borglum could have conceived of and created Mount
Rushmore.
Borglum also created 170 sculptures and monuments during his lifetime. His Mares of Diomedes was the first American sculpture purchased by New
York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. His work ranges from Western inspired pieces, to classical works and to those that honor and glorify the ideals
and heroes that comprise the American experience. One such piece is The Lincoln Portrait.
Ownership
You can be among a handful of collectors around the world to acquire this signature piece of American art and history. Contact Ronald J. Cavalier at
Rushmore Borglum Arts to order your Lincoln Portrait or obtain further information.
PRICE:
$12,500.00
TERMS:
One third down upon agreement to purchase. Balance due when your sculpture is ready to ship.
CONTACT: Ronald J. Cavalier below to order your "Lincoln Portrait Bronze Bust" or to obtain further information:
[email protected]
203.468.1216 (phone and fax)
866.468.1216 (toll free)