Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Artist:
Alexander Gardner, 17 Oct 1821 - 10 Dec 1882  Search this
Sitter:
Abraham Lincoln, 12 Feb 1809 - 15 Apr 1865  Search this
George Brinton McClellan, 3 Dec 1826 - 29 Oct 1885  Search this
Medium:
Albumen silver print
Dimensions:
Image/Sheet: 16.7 × 20.5 cm (6 9/16 × 8 1/16")
Mount: 23 × 28.1 cm (9 1/16 × 11 1/16")
Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18")
Type:
Photograph
Date:
1862 (printed c. 1890)
Exhibition Label:
The results of the bloodletting at Antietam were inconclusive. Robert E. Lee was forced to withdraw to the South, ending his first attempt to take the war to the North. But George B. McClellan, despite overwhelming superiority, was unable to score a knockout blow against the Army of Northern Virginia. The political consequences of Antietam were large, however. Abraham Lincoln used the victory as the occasion to announce his Emancipation Proclamation, effectively making the war for the Union also into a war against slavery. As well as radicalizing the Union’s war aims, the proclamation (which took effect on January 1, 1863), had the diplomatic result of making it impossible for European powers to recognize the Confederacy as a legitimate government. Militarily, Lincoln’s dissatisfaction with McClellan’s performance, including his nonresponsiveness during their October 1862 meeting, led to him being removed from his command in early November.
Topic:
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair  Search this
Printed Material\Book  Search this
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table  Search this
Printed Material\Papers  Search this
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie  Search this
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache  Search this
Architecture\Building\Tent  Search this
Costume\Headgear\Hat\Top hat  Search this
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard  Search this
Home Furnishings\Lighting Devices\Candle  Search this
Nature & Environment\Plant\Grass  Search this
Home Furnishings\Pillow  Search this
Exterior\Military Camp  Search this
Home Furnishings\Lighting Devices\Candlestick  Search this
George Brinton McClellan: Male  Search this
George Brinton McClellan: Politics and Government\Presidential candidate  Search this
George Brinton McClellan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General  Search this
George Brinton McClellan: Politics and Government\Governor\New Jersey  Search this
George Brinton McClellan: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Major General  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Male  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Military and Intelligence\Soldier  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\President of US  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Environmentalist  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Merchant  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Illinois  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\Government official\Surveyor  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\State Senator\Illinois  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Politics and Government\Government official\Postmaster  Search this
Abraham Lincoln: Crafts and Trades\Boat builder  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Object number:
S/NPG.81.18
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location:
Currently not on view
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm472c7a46b-e00b-4c7f-9a86-f02eab924eba
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_S_NPG.81.18