People's Progression Toward Equality - Philadelphia, PA - Abraham Lincoln on Waymarking.com

The mural is 150 feet from the sidewalk, on the side of a building, at the back end of parking lot. It looks like paint on brick. At the top of the mural is a quotation from Lincoln's second inaugural address: With malice toward none, with charity for all. The mural is located at Ranstead St & S 8th St. An address on the side of the brick building reads 720 Ranstead Street. The building looks very worn and looks as though it houses apartments.

The mural was commissioned by the City of Philadelphia (City of Philadelphia MuralArtsProgram) & Lincoln Financial. The artist was Jared Bader. The following people assisted in the completion of the mural: Bender, Desiree; Tiberino, Gabriele; Yoder, Karl; Guinn, David; & Pearlstein, Jamie

This mural is intended to explore the notion of Abraham Lincoln as a figurehead for ending slavery and starting equal rights. Within this theme is the idea that although Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and later, with Congress, passed the 13th Amendment abolishing all slavery it was the effort of countless abolitionists and civil rights advocates who created the atmosphere where abolition could be considered and enacted.

The composition of the mural is divided into three parts as designated by the scaffolding that supports the giant statue. The workers help to construct the “Colossal Lincoln” but also act out an allegory of the people’s struggle to end slavery and form equal rights. Lightness and darkness, through chiaroscuro effects, also help in illuminating the idea of people struggling for higher, more enlightened ideals the closer they are to the top of the mural. The use of color is important with the surrounding background and scaffolding planks being relatively muted. To contrast this, the light that floods into the scene will brighten and saturate up the images. The figures are painted with more saturated blues and reds that push forward from the background. SOURCE

The complete quotation is: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.