Abraham Lincoln Bronze Bust, after Leonard W. Volk, 20th Century
Presented is a 20th century bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln, after famous sculptor Leonard W. Volk. The sculpture depicts a beardless Lincoln, as he appeared during his first presidential campaign. Celebrated by art critics, Volk's "bust depicts Lincoln deep in thought and finds its greatest strength in the simple naturalism representing a vigorous man."
Leonard Wells Volk is notable for making one of only two life masks of President Abraham Lincoln. During Lincoln’s visit to Chicago in early spring of 1860, Volk asked the President to sit for a bust. Using a wet plaster process, Volk completed the life mask. In May of that same year, Volk also completed a life-cast of Lincoln’s hands. He cast Lincoln’s right hand grasping a whittled broom handle to simulate holding a scrolled document; his left hand was cast partially closed.
Volk used that cast mask as a basis for bust sculpture in 1860 and a larger full body rendering of Lincoln holding the Emancipation Proclamation. Volk’s life mask of Lincoln’s face was also studied by other prominent artists, including Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who used it for his 1887 12-foot-tall public memorial Abraham Lincoln: The Man (Standing Lincoln) in Chicago, and Daniel Chester French, who completed the monumental statue of Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
CONDITION:
The bust statue is in good condition, with small scratch underneath Lincoln chin, since restored. This statue is inscribed in raised-relief at the bottom of the back of the sculpture. The inscription reads, "Abraham Lincoln, Modeled from Life, By, Leonard W. Volk, Chicago, 1860, Replica". Copyright "Alva Studios" on right side. Bust is presented on a round, turned wooden base, painted in cream. Bottom of the base has brown felt.
Dimensions: 13 1/2" H x 6" W x 6"D.
Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.
Pickup available at Colorado
Usually ready in 4 hours
Abraham Lincoln Bronze Bust, after Leonard W. Volk, 20th Century
Colorado
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs CO 80906
United States
Choose options
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Yes, all of our Antiques are certified authentic. Every antique comes with a signed Letter of Authenticity that details the item’s history, its current condition including any conservation, binding, or framing work, and the item’s provenance. The Letters of Authenticity are priced valuations by our authentication specialists, who assure that items are original and unconditionally guaranteed as genuine for life.
We pack and ship your items from our gallery in Colorado Springs. You may also choose to come pick up your order. Antique items are carefully packed and insured during shipping. The shipping price will be calculated at checkout.
We acquire from a variety of trusted sources all over the world, but mostly through auctions and private collections within the United States. All provenance information will be listed on the Letter of
Authenticity accompanying your purchase.