Butler Art Museum Acquires Norman Rockwell Masterpiece

Sunday, 31 August 2008 19:44

Youngstown, Ohio - The Butler Institute of American Art has acquired a work by preeminent American illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). The exquisite work of Americana was unveiled at the Butler by Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Butler Director Dr. Louis A. Zona, Butler Board President Bill Bresnahan, and Abraham Lincoln descendant Ralph C. Lincoln at a special event to celebrate the acquisition.

According to Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona, “If ever a painting belonged in the collection of the Butler Institute, this is the one. Painted by America’s most beloved artist, Norman Rockwell, this work depicts our country’s most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Given the fact that the Butler is our country’s first museum of American art, this masterpiece by one of the greatest of American artists is a most perfect addition.”

Of this work Norman Rockwell wrote, “I hope this painting might inspire the youth of this land to appreciate this man who believed so much in the value of education.”

Titled “Lincoln the Railsplitter,” the 84.5 x 44.5 inch oil on canvas was painted in 1965 as a commission for an advertisement by Lincoln Bank of Spokane, Washington. The painting has not been shown publicly for many years.  “Lincoln the Railsplitter” is the first work by Norman Rockwell to be included in the Butler’s permanent collection, thus filling an important gap in the Institute’s twentieth century historic survey. The painting was purchased with moneys from the Butler’s acquisition fund, Draime Fund and through community gifts. “Lincoln the Railsplitter” was acquired at a November, 2006, auction held at Christies, New York City.

“Lincoln the Railsplitter” depicts Abe as a young man during the time he pursued the occupation of surveyor in Sangamon County in central Illinois - a time documented in “The Prairie Years” by Carl Sandburg.  (The book served as an inspiration to Rockwell as he created this work.)   Lincoln prepared to be a surveyor as he would later prepare for his law career, by immersing himself in various text books. The painting depicts just such study, portraying the future president with an axe in one hand, and holding a text book with the other.  A railsplitter’s tool is draped over Abe’s shoulder, and the painting also includes an image of a log cabin and a newly build split rail fence, with remnants of felled trees in close proximity. 

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