The changing face of Abraham Lincoln - As the Union crumbled 150 years ago, the president's appearance began to change dramatically (With Slides)

Slide show: As the Union crumbled 150 years ago, the president's appearance began to change dramatically

By Glenn W. LaFantasie

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Library of Congress

This photograph, taken by Preston Butler, a photographer in Springfield, Ill., is believed to be the last beardless portrait of Abraham Lincoln. It was one of a half-dozen ambrotypes taken on Aug. 13, 1860; the other five originals have been lost. Butler took the photograph for a miniature portrait-painter, John Henry Brown. In his diary, Brown wrote: "There are so many hard lines in his face that it becomes a mask to the inner man. His true character only shines out when in an animated conversation, or when telling an amusing tale ... He is said to be a homely man; I do not think so." Lincoln looks confident in this pose, eyes focused on the camera, arms folded gently, his mouth set firmly. Unlike with many Lincoln photographs, either he or the photographer took the trouble to fix his hair, which normally was in a state of disarray.

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