Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08
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great work Of your life, and draw upon me for
whatever funds you may require to the end"
So the artist came to Washington February 4,
1864.
When Lincoln saw the shy, young painter he
smiled and said do you think you can make a
handsome picture of me, SOM" Carpenter was
embarrassed and he made some inconsequential
reply. But the kindly Lincoln soon made him
feel at ease and turned him loose in the Presi-
dents Office to work out his idea" The artist
worked hard, sometimes through the entire
night, and in six months the picture was done.
The President and his Cabinet met in formal
session to pass Judgment on it. Each man
praised the work. Lincoln himself said, Its
as good as 1t can be made Carpenter. believe
I am as glad over the success Of this work as
you are"
THE painting shows not only the men, but
the room and all its fittings exactly as they
were at the moment of the great historical
event 1t depicts. The picture is free from all
frumpeTy, such urns, velvet tassels and flow
cred carpets. The solemn dignity of the men
is intensified by their Somber black garbS. The
Lincoln in Carpenters picture deserves serious
study. He holds the Emancipation ProcIama-
ton in his hand, yet he does not look at it; he
is calm and relaxed
The picture was first exhibited to the public
in the East Room Of the White House. where
several thousand people came to see it each
day. It was then exhibited in New York BoS-
ton and several Western cities. The painting
was in Pittsburgh when Lincoln was assaSsi-
mated, at which time the people were so eager
to see the portrait of the martyred President
that the crowds frequently became unmanage-
able and the exhibition room had to be closed
to the public.
In 1866 the celebrated canvas returned to
the artist, who exhibited 1t in his own town
for two days. Each time the picture returned
from tour Of exhibition it had to be retouched,
for despite all possible care in handling, much.
damage was done to the canvas. Once the
artist worked constantly for So hours, retouch-
ing the damaged spots. The long strain made
him i'll.
A short time before the painting was re-
turned to Carpenters studio it had been en-
graved, and soon thereafter the engraver's shop
was destroyed by fire. The plate was saved.
It was reported that the famous picture OF Lin
coin was destroyed In the fire, but at that very
moment it was safe in the artists own studio.
After the engraving was made Carpenter
painted some minor but noticeable, changes in
the picture, as can be seen by the key to the
painting. In the key Lincoln'S right hand Is
empty and q quill pen is in holder on the
desk. The picture In its present form shows
the pen in~Lincoln's right hand and the position
Of the manuscript in the left hand is slightly
changed. A sword and scarf were also painted
across an empty chair in the corner of the pic
ture: These changes, together with the story
Of the fire, cause many people to believe that
the Emancipation Picture In the Capitol is not
the original AND vain searches have been made
for it. But there is only one picture and the
Government owns that. II did not, however,