This full body bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Avard T. Fairbanks, depicts Lincoln during his early years. While it is a full body sculpture, it is miniature in size.
This plaster cast statue, painted to appear bronze, depicts Abraham sitting on a bench, reading while petting his dog. He sits with his right foot flat on the ground in front of the bench, with his left foot bent behind and along side the bench, with only his toes in contact with the ground. He looks down at a large book opened and laying on his lap, primarily over his left thigh. He has his left forearm under the book, with his fingers and thumb curled upward to hold the book in place. He has his right hand down to his side, where he is petting his dog. The dog looks up at him with affection. He wears period clothing with shoes, trousers, a button up shirt that is open at the collar, with sleeves rolled up above his elbows.
This collection of Abraham Lincoln sculptures was created by the native Utah and internationally important American sculptor, Dr. Avard Tennyson Fairbanks.
They Depict Lincoln at different stages of his life; (as a frontiersman, at the pivotal time when he put down the axe of the frontiersman and began the study of letters, as an orator, as a political candidate participating in the Lincoln - Douglas debate, as the American President, and writing the Gettysburg Address).
"Dr. Avard Tennyson Fairbanks
Born: March 2, 1897 - Died: January 1, 1987
Avard Tennyson Fairbanks was born in Provo Utah in 1897. The son of John B. Fairbanks a well known artist, Avard will continue the family legacy as a prolific sculptor. With the death of his mother Lilly when he was only about a year old, and his father busy providing for his family Avard’s brother J. Leo Fairbanks will manage the family.
At the age of 12, Avard showed interest in sculpting. With the guidance of J. Leo, Avard’s first work was a clay model of a rabbit. This model would win first prize in the State Fair. At the age of 13, Avard would follow his father to New York City. Modeling animals from the Bronx Zoological Gardens and showing a natural talent for sculpting, Avard would be awarded scholarships to study at the Arts Students League at New York. During this time Avard would become personally acquainted with several notable sculptors. These included Cyrus E. Dallin (sculptor of the Winfield Scott Hancock on the Pennsylvania Memorial) and Lorado Taft (sculptor of the 3rd, 4th Michigan Infantry Monuments and the Michigan “Custer” Memorial). In 1913 Avard would move to Paris to study at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts. While in Paris he would also study at the Ecole de la Grande Chaumiere and other noted schools.
Today, Fairbanks is considered one of the most distinguished sculptors in America. His statues have been erected around the world. Throughout the United States, Fairbanks is particularly well known for his Lincoln monuments. Four of his works are on permanent display in the U.S. Capitol Building’s statuary hall as well as four marble busts of Lincoln located in Ford Theater, Washington DC." (
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"An outstanding regional cultural center which showcases regional history, art and a world-class collection of Arvard T. Fairbanks's works of art. The museum features sculptures, a replica of the Huntington Mammoth, carvings, and artwork. Two buildings of exhibits will keep visitors engaged for hours." (
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"Historical artifacts, art (sculpture and painting), humanities lectures, school tours, local historic archive, oral history collection, family history collection. New Columbian Mammoth skeleton, extensive Avard Fairbank sculpture collection." (
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