Presidential Sculpted Greatness On Display

Photo: Unbearded Lincoln

Unbearded Lincoln is based upon cast made by Leonard Volk, ca. 1900. Leonard W. Volk was granted a Design patent for this bust on June 12, 1860. The bust was on loan from the National Park Service/Lincoln Home National Historic Site.




Photo: Bronze Bust of Lincoln as President

Bronze Bust of Lincoln as President, sculpted by James J. Nance, 1994. On loan from the National Park Service/Lincoln Home National Historic Site.




Photo: Bronze Bust of Lincoln in foreground, and Reagan Bronze Bust in background.

Bronze Bust of Lincoln as a Young Man, sculpted by James J. Nance, 1994. On loan from the National Park Service/Lincoln Home National Historic Site.




Photo: Reagan Bronze Patina Bust, by Sergy Eylanbekov

Reagan Bronze Petina Bust, by Sergy Eylanbekov is an alvastone sculpture of President Reagan coated with a bronze petina finish. Bust on loan from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum at Simi Valley, California.

Note: The high density alvastone sculpture is a reproduction, and available for purchase online, or at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Store. Alvastone is less expensive than bronze, and is designed to endure. The sculpture on display was priced at aproximately one hundred and fifty dollars at the time of this posting.

The photographs included above were taken at the Illinois State Library, and represent four of a collection of ten Presidential scultures on display in the Sculpted Greatness collection. The display is available for public viewing through August 31st, 2005.

The common theme? Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant (not pictured), and Ronald Reagan each called Illinois home.

As of this posting there only a few days remaining to take in this fine art collection. Enter through the north entrance of the Illinois State Library just off of Adams Street, north of the 2nd Street intersection. Be prepared to empty all pockets for the courteous security staff, and proceed through the metal detectors.

Sources: Sculpture Caption Cards Present at Display, and the Illinois Times, August 18-24.05