Young Abraham Lincoln Portrait Bust by Volk 21H

The Lincoln of 1860: An Abraham Lincoln Bust Modeled from Life

This Abraham Lincoln bust shows the man of 1860, modeled from a cast of his living face. It stands 21 in high in crushed stone resin, with a hand-applied bronze patina.

It is modeled from the original work by Leonard W. Volk. The Volk Lincoln sculpture captures a man still new to the national stage.

Product Details

• Material: Hand-cast and hand-finished crushed stone resin
• Finish: Hand-applied patina in several layers
• Dimensions: Approx. 21 in H x 9 in W x 9 in D
• Style: Young Lincoln portrait bust
• Product number: 710B

A Plaster Cast of the Living Face

Leonard Wells Volk lived from 1828 to 1895 and worked in Chicago. In 1860 he cast a life mask of Lincoln, a mold taken from the living face.

The cast was made weeks before Lincoln won the Republican nomination on May 18, 1860. Volk used it as the basis for his bust.

The Great Emancipator

Americans later named Lincoln the Great Emancipator. This Great Emancipator statue commemorates the 16th president, a man of courage, faith in the common man, and integrity.

The Abraham Lincoln bust shows the face before the war years, and the Great Emancipator statue title came later. Add it to the American Presidents Collection for a fuller view of American history.

Display and Care

At 21 in tall, this Abraham Lincoln bust suits a mantel, bookcase, or study table. Dust the young Lincoln portrait bust with a soft dry cloth. Keep it away from damp air and strong sun.

Leonard Volk in Brief

Volk worked in Chicago. His Lincoln life mask is among the most studied likenesses of the president. The Volk Lincoln sculpture grew from it.

For More Reading from the Web

• Read how Volk made the life mask in Chicago, weeks before Lincoln won the nomination. Lincoln Life Mask - Smithsonian Civil War
• The Met holds a bronze cast of the Volk life mask, made in 1886. Life Mask of Abraham Lincoln - The Metropolitan Museum of Art