Beautiful, high quality, full color lithograph of Norman Rockwell’s painting, “Young Lincoln”, (AKA “Lincoln the Railsplitter) signed in pencil by the artist. Unnumbered. Framed, under glass. In 1965 iconic American artist Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) produced a painting commissioned by Lincoln Mutual Savings Bank (Spokane, WA) of Abraham Lincoln for use as a marketing illustration. Rockwell received $4000 for this work. The painting depicts a young Abraham Lincoln, reading a book as he walks home from his job as a Railsplitter, the family cabin in the background. Rockwell painted Lincoln larger than life on a 7 foot tall, narrow canvas to emphasize Lincoln’s greatness as well as his tall, lanky build. See photo of Rockwell beside his painting. In 1976, Atelier Ettinger (NYC publisher) produced 309 high quality lithograph prints of the painting. Every print was signed in pencil by Rockwell in the bottom right corner. This print, acquired from a South Carolina estate, is believed to be one of 60 unnumbered prints produced by Ettinger. (Source: Norman Rockwell Museum). Framed, under glass. Excellent condition. Sight size: 22” x 12” Framed dimensions: 31” x 20” The idea of portraying Lincoln as "the railsplitter" was the inspiration of Illinois politician Richard J. Oglesby. Oglesby wanted to create an image of Lincoln that would garner political support by everyday working Americans. Rockwell’s painting captured this image on canvas. His manner of dress in working clothes was meant to portray Lincoln as a common man of the times. His red bandana, his ax, etc. convey the type of work Lincoln did. The setting depicts where he came from. Norman Rockwell created over 4,000 original pieces of artwork in his lifetime. More than 300 of them for the Saturday Evening Post covers. His work was prized by magazine editors and advertisers alike - Rockwell painted advertisements for everything from Jell-O to insurance. Early in his career Rockwell painted homespun Americana, small town, family illustrations. Later his work reflected his interest in civil rights and other political issues about which he was concerned. His most famous paintings are of Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms; Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Rockwell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977. “His vivid and affectionate portraits of our country and ourselves have become a beloved part of the American tradition,” said then President Gerald Ford. Rockwell died peacefully at his home in Stockbridge, MA in 1978 at the age of 84. **IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFO: Shipping cost shown is an estimate only. Customer will be automatically refunded any overage in shipping charges. Colony Craftsman will absorb shipping costs that exceed estimate. We happily ship to customers in Hawaii and Alaska. However, estimated shipping cost shown DOES NOT reflect rates to ship to these states. PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY TO FIND OUT EXACT SHIPPING COSTS BEFORE YOU BUY.