Abraham Lincoln: The Head of State

Abraham Lincoln: The Head of State is a 9-foot bronze sculpture in Grant Park depicting the president seated with a downward gaze. It sits atop a 150-foot marble platform and is framed by a temple-like architectural structure that creates an imposing setting.

Commissioned in 1897, the work was displayed temporarily in New York and San Francisco before its permanent installation in Grant Park in 1926. It emerged during an era when the nation was beginning to honor Lincoln as a defining figure in American history.

The sculpture presents Lincoln in a thoughtful pose, capturing the inner weight of leadership during turbulent times. Visitors see a human side of the historical figure rather than a rigid heroic monument.

The memorial is located in the northern section of Grant Park and is easily accessible from the lakefront promenade. Its open setting allows year-round visits but offers little shelter from weather or direct sun exposure.

Artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens devoted many years to this sculpture and had to completely recreate his first model after a studio fire in 1904. This dedication to the craft shows in the care and detail of the final work.

Location: Chicago

GPS coordinates: 41.87729,-87.62154

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55