In 2009 I was commissioned by the State of Illinois and the City of Joliet Illinois to create a life sized sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. Illinois is very proud of Lincoln and refers to itself as the "Land of Lincoln". Here are a series of photos from the creation in studio to the installation.
It is still possible to purchase death masks of Lincoln; you can see one in this picture on the left. I always do the head of my sculptures separately for purposes of practicality. The head is on a pivoting stand. I tried to capture his intense, hypnotic gaze.
Working on the sculpture in the studio with my trusty assistant, Dante DiBartolo.
Standing on a ladder to do finishing touches.
The finished prototype.
Installation.
The curved screen behind Lincoln contains excerpts from his famous "House Divided" speech.
