Abraham Lincoln There is no question that Lincoln was subject to periods of melancholy throughout his life and as a young man he had experienced the physical symptoms associated with some mental health symptoms. These symptoms were at times minimized by the medical community. Still, Abraham Lincoln led the United States through one of the darkest periods of our history, the American Civil War and preserved the Union. Despite internal and external struggles, President Lincoln persevered. Most of Abraham Lincoln’s written references to depression were in a series of 1841-1842 letters to close friend Joshua Speed. On January 1, 1841, Lincoln broke up with Mary Todd – the woman he would marry a year later. A few weeks after his breakup, Lincoln wrote a letter to John T. Stuart, his first law partner. In the letter he declared, “I am now the most miserable man living. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better.” Despite frequent suicidal thoughts during this time, those who have studied Lincoln firmly believed that his determination to deal with his challenging emotions gave him the strength and resiliency to deal with a nation at war with itself.

About the PiecesThe initial works of art were created as self portraits by clients who attend the Expressive Art Program, created and facilitated by Stacy Spinazze.
Two of the portraits are recognizable faces, Abe Lincoln and Vincent Van Gogh. They both experienced mental illness in their lifetime. The goal with this combination of these portraits is to have you, the viewer ask, “what do these faces have in common? Why are Lincoln and Van Gogh with these other faces? ” By exploring this question, it is our hope that you, the viewer will discover the connection and message that anyone can be affected by mental illness.
Thank You
David C and Lara M Lovell FoundationThe Toledo Public Library Technology DepartmentThe Toledo Street Newspaper