This chromolithograph was done by Elijah C. Middleton in 1864 and is based on a photograph taken by Anthony Berger of the Matthew Brady studio.

While working on the portrait Middleton sent a copy to the President who made suggestions. It is the only known portrait of the President in which Mr. Lincoln had the opportunity to offer a critique while the work was still in progress. Mr. Lincoln wrote to Middleton “Your picture is, in the main, very good. From a line across immediately above the eyebrows downward it appears to me perfect. Above such a line I think it is not so good-that is, while it gives perhaps a better forehead, it is not quite true to the original.” Middleton made the appropriate changes before the print was offered for sale.

This print is clear and bright. The lithograph was done on paper and then attached to a canvas backing which was attached to a stretcher and then housed in an ornate gilt frame common to the period. These lithographs are so well done that over the years they have been mistaken for actual oil paintings. This one is in excellent shape with no blemishes.

The reverse of the canvas is marked “WARRANTED OIL COLORS. ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1864 BY E. C. MIDDLETON IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, CINCINNATI”

The wood frame is covered with plaster which was used to form the scrollwork decorations on the edge and the beaded inner border. Once the decoration was done the entire frame was painted with gold gilt. The frame is in excellent condition with just a few crack lines from age but these are minor. There is a small chip on one side and a section approx. 6.00 inches long where plaster has fallen off the back edge of the frame. When the lithograph is hung this area cannot be seen.

Framed the item meas. approx. 19.00 x 23.00 inches.  [ad]

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Please note: this frame contains glass; click here for our policy for shipment of framed items containing glass.

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