Abraham Lincoln, Gutzon Borglum bust, Modern-era Reproduction

Description

The original version of this Abraham Lincoln head was created by Gutzon Borglum, in 1908. Lincoln’s head seems to emerge from the rough-cut marble, an effect that can also be seen in the marble sculpture of Michelangelo and Borglum’s friend Auguste Rodin. Borglum captured the distinctive features of Lincoln’s face, including his deep-set eyes, his prominent lower lip, and even his wart. 

A version of Borglum’s bust, created by Joanna Gichner Kendall, was at the entrance to the Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, NY.  This is a down-sized version of the Joanna Gichner Kendall bust at Illinois Pavilion. It is cast in Alvastone-a composite material of gypsum, marble, and other particles combined with a bonding agent. It was a trademarked process, owned by Alva Museum Replicas, Inc., of New York, a subsidiary of New York Graphic Society Ltd.  It is one of the finest reproductions available. With rich brown patina and lovely tonality, it is in fine condition.

(Abraham Lincoln) (Gutzon Borglum) Kendall, Joanna Gichner, bust of Abraham Lincoln.  11″ x 7″ x 5″ (sight); cast in Alvastone; 1964; bearing an Alva label on the bottom; other label remnant.