Lot 150
Created / Published: William Smith, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, n. d. Daniel T. Wiest (born c. 1842) (lithographer). Allegorical print of the apotheosis of President Abraham Lincoln, published in the months following his assassination. He is shown receiving the reward of the just, that is, ascension to heaven. The stylized rendering depicts him rising Christ-like from his open tomb, which is inscribed on the side A Lincoln, died April 15th, 1865. Lincoln gazes skyward, arms outstretched beneath a heavenly shaft of light. He is seated on a cloud and supported by two winged figures representing Genius and Immortality, and is regarded from below by a bald eagle standing behind the United States shield. Seated in front of the tomb are two mourners guarding the sarcophagus: a Native American brave with headdress, quiver and tomahawk and Liberty, a robed female figure holding a staff supporting a liberty cap (also known as a Phrygian cap). Between them are a suit of discarded armor, a sword and a hatchet. A snake curls around Libertys staff. In the background are allegorical figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity looking on the scene. Lincoln's death occurred as the Civil War was finally reaching its conclusion with Lees surrender to Grant at Appomattox just a few days earlier. The outpouring of grief and gratitude for his leadership inspired numerous images in tribute to a revered fallen leader. The other president who inspired similar quasi-religious depictions as a hero undergoing an apotheosis and ascension to heaven was George Washington. One such popular print, Apotheosis of Washington after Rembrandt Peale, is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Indeed, Wiest substantially based the Lincoln composition on another version of The Apotheosis of Washington engraved by John James Barralet after works by Gilbert Stuart, published c. 1800-1802. In the Wiest composition, Washington is replaced by Lincoln and the inscription on the tomb is changed for him. Daniel T. Wiest was a lithographic artist, who primarily specialized in entomological drawings. He was also the artist for In Memory of Abraham Lincoln: The Reward of the Just published by William Smith. Born in Germany, he was working as a lithographic artist for the Philadelphia firm of Bowen & Company in the mid 1860s. William Smith was a Philadelphia print publisher during the second half of the 19th century. He was listed in city directories as a picture framer in 1856 but around 1860 began publishing and distributing genre, historical, religious, and portrait lithographs and chromolithographs. He continued in business until around 1891. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request
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Dimensions:
- image: 24" x 18.25" and 30.25" x 24" overall Condition:
- Good Condition with no tears and a water stain on the bottom half and upper right corner (see pics)
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