Lincoln Memorial Murals

The north wall mural of the Lincoln Memorial.

Carol Highsmith Photo

 

Above each of the Lincoln Memorial Inscriptions is a 60' x 12' mural painted by Jules Guerin graphically portraying governing principles evident in Lincoln's life. Both scenes contain a background of cypress trees, the emblem of Eternity. The murals were crafted with a special mixture of paint which included elements of kerosene and wax to protect the exposed artwork from fluctuations in temperature and moisture conditions.

 

The south mural.  Carol Highsmith Photo.

South Wall:

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Entitled Emancipation, the south mural above the Gettysburg Address represents Freedom and Liberty.The central panel shows the Angel of Truth releasing slaves from the shackles of bondage.On the left hand side of the mural Justice and Law are represented. On the right hand side, Immortality is the central figure surrounded by Faith, Hope and Charity.

 

The north mural.  Carol Highsmith Photo.

North Mural

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Entitled Unity, the north mural located above the Second Inaugural Address, features the Angel of Truth joining the hands of two figures representing the north and south. Her protective wings cradle figures representing the arts of Painting, Philosophy, Music, Architecture, Chemistry, Literature, and Sculpture. Emerging from behind the Music figure is the veiled image of the future.The left group represents Fraternity while the right group represents Charity. The fourth figure from the left of the Angel of Truth is Lincoln Memorial architect Henry Bacon.

 

• Ranger Reflections: The Murals

  
  

  Artist Jules Guerin visually symbolizes two of the greatest accomplishments of the Lincoln era – Emancipation and Reunification.

  Date created:

  10/14/2020

  Audio Transcript

  The Murals Hello. This is National Park Service Ranger John Kirkpatrick of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. I’m here to explain some of the artwork within the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is decorated with two canvas murals each 60 feet long and twelve feet high and weighing 600 pounds. They are allegorical murals which illustrate the resounding principles of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency – Emancipation and Unity. Artist Jules Guerin visually symbolizes two of the greatest accomplishments of the Lincoln era– Emancipation and Reunification. Entitled Emancipation, the south mural above the Gettysburg Address represents Freedom and Liberty. The central panel shows the Angel of Truth releasing slaves from the shackles of bondage. The slaves are guarded by two symbols (inaudible). On the left hand side of the mural Justice and Law are represented. On the right hand side, Immortality is the central figure surrounded by Faith, Hope and Charity. Entitled Unity, the north mural located above the Second Inaugural Address, features the Angel of Truth joining the hands of two figures representing the north and south, her protective wings cradle figures representing the arts of Painting, Philosophy, Music, Architecture, Chemistry, Literature, and Sculpture. Emerging from behind the Music figure is the veiled image of the future. The left group represents Fraternity while the right group represents Charity. On the Unity mural, the fourth figure from the left of the Angel of Truth is Lincoln Memorial architect Henry Bacon. The themes found in the mural include not only emancipation and reunification, but also Fraternity, Justice and Charity. Ironically, during the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922, these ideals were not granted to all citizens of the United States. The ceremony was segregated and yet one of the primary speakers was the African American president of Tuskegee College. At the time of the dedication, the memorial celebrated only the union of the states. However, the ideals of Equality, Fraternity and Justice have emanated from this space nonetheless. From these steps, African American singer Marian Anderson and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. have famously made their voices heard and have bridged the gap between the ideals of Lincoln and the memorial and the realities of our society.