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Proclamation of Emancipation

Proclamation of Emancipation
Artist
William Roberts, 1846 - 1876?
Copy after
Mathew B. Brady, 1823? - 15 Jan 1896 (Photographer)
Sitter
Abraham Lincoln, 12 Feb 1809 - 15 Apr 1865
Date
1864
Type
Print
Medium
Wood engraving with one tint on paper
Dimensions
Image: 49.8 × 37.4 cm (19 5/8 × 14 3/4")
Sheet: 55.5 × 44 cm (21 7/8 × 17 5/16")
Mat (Verified): 71.1 × 55.9 cm (28 × 22")
Topic
Vehicle\Ship
Weapon\Gun\Rifle
Weapon\Sword
Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse
Nature & Environment\Animal\Dog
Symbols & Motifs\Flag
Weapon\Cannon
Music\Musical instrument\Drum
Nature & Environment\Animal\Bird\Eagle
Weapon\Whip
Nature & Environment\Animal\Cow
Weapon\Gun\Bayonet
Tool\Anvil
Tool\Plow
Tool\Rake
Equipment\Scale
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National\United States
Abraham Lincoln: Male
Abraham Lincoln: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Abraham Lincoln: Military and Intelligence\Soldier
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\President of US
Abraham Lincoln: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Environmentalist
Abraham Lincoln: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Merchant
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Illinois
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\Government official\Surveyor
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\State Senator\Illinois
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\Government official\Postmaster
Abraham Lincoln: Crafts and Trades\Boat builder
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.83.229
Exhibition Label
Born near Hodgenville, Kentucky
Despite his personal opposition to slavery, Abraham Lincoln entered the presidency pledging to leave the system untouched where it existed. But by 1862, he viewed the emancipation of enslaved people within Confederate-held territory as a military necessity, hoping it would strengthen support for the Union cause. Lincoln publicly released a preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 (see Charles Sumner’s portrait nearby), before signing the much-anticipated final version on January 1, 1863. The proclamation’s scope was limited, affecting only people enslaved within Confederate-occupied lands. But the abolitionist Frederick Douglass recognized it as a turning point in the war, predicting that “the tide of battle which has thus far only waved backward and forward, will steadily set in our favor.”
Produced to commemorate Lincoln’s historic edict, this print includes the text of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, accompanied by contrasting images of war and peace, slavery and freedom.
Nacido cerca de Hodgenville, Kentucky
A pesar de oponerse a la esclavitud, Abraham Lincoln llegó a la presidencia con la promesa de dejar intacto dicho sistema donde ya existiera. Sin embargo, para 1862 consideraba que la emancipación de los esclavizados en tierras confederadas era una necesidad militar, esperando que ello reforzara el apoyo a la Unión. Lincoln publicó una versión preliminar de la Proclama de Emancipación el 22 de septiembre de 1862 (ver el retrato de Charles Sumner cerca de aquí), antes de firmar la muy esperada versión final el 1 de enero de 1863. El alcance de la proclama era limitado, pues solo afectaba a las personas esclavizadas en tierras ocupadas por los confederados. No obstante, el abolicionista Frederick Douglass reconoció que fue un punto de inflexión en la guerra y predijo que “la marea de la guerra, que hasta ahora solo fluctuaba, se estabilizará a favor nuestro”.
Este grabado, que conmemora el histórico edicto de Lincoln, incluye el texto de la Proclama de Emancipación de 1863 junto a imágenes contrastantes de guerra y paz, esclavitud y libertad.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 111