Who painted Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln was painted by William Morris Hunt in 1865.

Where can I see Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln is associated with American Impressionism.

Artwork

Abraham Lincoln

William Morris Hunt , 1865

Abraham Lincoln is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist William Morris Hunt. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1865, this oil portrait presents Abraham Lincoln standing before a plain wall, his hands clasped and gaze directed downward. Dressed in a black coat, white shirt, and bow tie, the composition emphasizes the figure through a simple backdrop and subtle modeling of light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures the former president in a moment of contemplation, his posture and lowered eyes suggesting introspection or solemnity. The restrained setting and formal attire reinforce the dignified public role Lincoln occupied, while the intimate pose invites a personal connection with the viewer.

Technique & Style

Executed in an American Impressionist manner, the painting employs chiaroscuro to generate depth, with light falling on the face and hands against a darker background. Hunt’s brushwork balances realism inherited from his Paris training with a softer, atmospheric quality characteristic of late‑19th‑century American portraiture.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by William Morris Hunt, a Boston‑based artist who studied under Jean‑François Millet and associated with the Barbizon circle. After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s American art holdings.