[POLITICS IN AMERICA]. GOLDIN, John, photographer. Death Bed of Lincoln. Washington, DC: John Littlefield, 1866.

17 3/4 x 10 3/4 in. (visible) albumen print, housed in 21 x 14 in. frame (even toning, unexamined outside frame). Print after painting by John H. Littlefield, Death-Bed of Lincoln, April 15, 1865. With "John Goldin, Photo. / Wm. Terry, Printer" printed at lower right.

A pictorial representation of President Lincoln on his deathbed in the back bedroom of the Petersen House, surrounded by family, friends, and dignitaries, including Mary and Robert Todd Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The title and identifications are accomplished in manuscript, making this an unusual example of Lincoln's deathbed scene.

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Following the president's death, artists almost immediately began producing portrayals of Lincoln's deathbed scene as they imagined it, which vary in style and historical accuracy. While around 55 friends and colleagues visited the president between April 14-15, it would have been impossible for everyone to gather together at the same time in the small bedroom at the Petersen House. Littlefield's example recognizes 25 individuals that gathered at Lincoln's bedside over the two-day period, with his portraits based on individual photographs of the subjects.

[POLITICS IN AMERICA]. GOLDIN, John, photographer. Death Bed of Lincoln. Washington, DC: John Littlefield, 1866.