The 2009 edition of the Historic Illinois Calendar is
no longer available. The calendar commemorated the
bicentennial anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. It featured
twelve portraits of the Sixteenth President, images created by professional
and amateur artists, some portraits done from life, others modern
interpretations. The 2009 Calendar is destined to become a collectible
item.
The 9 1/2-by-11-inch 2009 calendar is designed to provide space
to record birthdays, appointments, and upcoming events. The design
rivals that found in bookstores for nearly twice the price. The cost
is $7 each, or $5 each for orders of five or more, an economical price
that makes the calendar a popular choice for gift giving.
To purchase calendars, please send a check or money order to Historic
Illinois Calendar, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701-1512.
Subscribers, please note that you will receive one Calendar as part
of your subscription.
The twelve images are:
January — This
portrait of a young Abraham Lincoln, which hangs in the Lincoln
Bedroom of the Illinois Executive Mansion, was painted from
life in 1860.
February
— William Camm, an artist in Winchester, Illinois, completed
this portrait in 1860. Lincoln sat for Camm in the artist’s
studio, where Camm made an outline. The artist finished the
painting using a photograph. According to an October 12, 1922,
article in the Jacksonville Journal, this portrait was used
as a banner during the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
March —
Self-trained painter William F. Cogswell was invited to the
White House in 1864 to sketch Abraham Lincoln. His most famous
portrait of Lincoln, for which he won $3,000 in a portrait contest,
hangs in the White House. This portrait was probably produced
from the same set of sketches.
April —
A decidedly modern take on the image of Abraham Lincoln, LeRoy
Neiman’s portrait of the Sixteenth President is executed
in the modern colorful style that the contemporary Neiman is
famous for. Better known for his sports paintings, Neiman has
also produced a series of portraits of other famous people.
May —
This 1938 portrait by Catherine Carter Critcher is a copy of
one painted by George Peter Alexander Healy that hangs in the
White House. The Critcher copy was owned by Lincoln’s
last descendant, Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith. He donated the
painting to the Illinois State Historical Society in 1976, and
it is on loan to the Illinois Executive Mansion.
June —
Illinois artists Alb Meyer used an 1860 photograph by Alexander
Hesler to render this image about 1925. The painting, on loan
from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, hangs
in the Illinois Executive Mansion.
July —
Renowned portraitist Marla Friedman painted this profile portrait
of Lincoln in 2001. Friedman, who has painted a number of famous
contemporaries, has also painted a few historical figures. This
picture was donated by a private collector to the Illinois Executive
Mansion.
August —
The dribble technique, employed in this portrait by Umberto
Romano, makes a somber depiction of the Sixteenth President.
Romano won countless awards for his work, which is highly collectible
today. Romano’s wife donated this oil on canvas to the
Illinois State Historical Library, now Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum, in 1998.
September
— William A. Patterson executed this oil painting of Lincoln
about 1925. Patterson painted more than twenty portraits of
Lincoln, interpretations he settled on after long discussions
with the few Springfield residents who knew the president. Patterson
was also well known for his specialty of painting miniature
portraits on ivory.
October —
Before Elijah C. Middleton finished his work on his chromolithograph
image of Lincoln, he sent him a proof of his work. Lincoln responded
in a letter to Middleton offering praise and a critique. This
portrait is the only known likeness where Lincoln offered his
advice to an artist.
November
— Of all the artists who painted Abraham Lincoln, it is
Francis Bicknell Carpenter who will be known as the foremost
painter of Lincoln. Carpenter had experience in painting presidents
— he painted Millard Fillmore, John Tyler, and Franklin
Pierce. In 1864 Lincoln invited him to the White House to paint
the now-famous “First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation
of President Lincoln,” which today hangs in the U.S. Capitol.
December —
Painted from life about 1862, this portrait of Lincoln was rendered
by Alban Jasper Conant. Conant, who received no formal art training,
mastered his craft by working with prominent artists Thomas
Sully and Henry Iman. In addition to this image of Lincoln,
Conant is known for his rare interpretations of the “Smiling
Lincoln,” a portrait that earned him a good working relationship
with the President.
Calendars are just $7. Order five or more at
$5 each.
Get the Historic IllinoisCalendar automatically when you subscribe to Historic
Illinois and save!
To order
send your check--payable to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency--along
with your name and mailing address to:
Shanta Thoele, Publications Manager,
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza,
Springfield, IL 62701.
For further information please
Email or call the department
217/524-6045.