Artist: George Peter Alexander Healy

Title: Abraham Lincoln

Date: 1887

Medium: Paint 

Provenance: Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery 

Source: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/abraham-lincoln/HQG5i2b9cnw_Xw?projectId=art-project 

Analysis of Elements of Art/Principles of Design

Space: Much of this painting is negative space. The positive space includes Lincoln himself and the chair. 

Form: The body of Lincoln is an organic form. The lines used in this form help to create a realistic body of a human. However, the chair consists of geometric shapes. 

Line: Healy utilizes line to convey emotion of Lincoln’s face. Also, the body language implies that Lincoln is deep in thought. 

Contrast: By only using three colors in the entire piece, the artist creates a contrast. The white spot upon the background contrasts with the entirely black background and Lincoln’s black suit. 

Emphasis: The spot on the background emphasizes Lincoln because he is directly in front of the spot among the black. 

Unity: The entire piece is united through Lincoln. He occupies the majority of the piece and the background is emphasized on his location by a white spot, which one may assume is where a light hits. 

Interpretation: Value of this piece seems to create emphasis. The lightness of one spot on the background is different than the darkness of the remainder of the background and Lincoln’s outfit. The seriousness and simplicity of the values in this piece lead me to believe this piece was professional and a serious moment captured.

Judgment: I do not feel drawn to this piece. The lack of color does not attract my eye. I almost missed Lincoln’s face if it were not for the white spot highlighting his facial features. Perhaps avid Lincoln fans would be interested in this piece, however from an art perspective the piece is utterly plain. However, I do believe that the artist shows Lincoln’s train of thought and serious pondering of his decision as intended.