Abraham Lincoln (see Rice pp. 593-607)

This lithograph is an important artifact from the Presidential campaign of 1860. Lincoln's campaign commissioned Thomas Hicks to paint a portrait of the Senator in Springfield, IL (The Springfield Portrait which is now in the Chicago Historical Society) so that his image could be disseminated throughout the nation, familiarizing the public with the dark-horse Republican candidate. This tousle-headed portrait is the first beardless one of Lincoln and was pronounced a perfect likeness by those close to him. Hicks had studied Lincoln during a relatively relaxed time of his life seeing as he had just won the nomination a few weeks earlier and was enjoying his newfound popularity and success. In a very short period of time, Lincoln went from an obscure candidate to being voted President. This and other similar portraits following became outdated, however, when he became President and grew his well-recognized beard.