Butler Art Museum Acquires Norman Rockwell Masterpiece
“Lincoln the Railsplitter” Unveiled

The Butler Institute of American Art has acquired a work by preeminent American illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). The exquisite work of Americana was unveiled at the Butler on February 16, 2007 by Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Butler Director Dr. Louis A. Zona, Butler Board President Bill Bresnahan, and Abraham Lincoln descendant Ralph C. Lincoln at a special event to celebrate the acquisition. This event was also the official opening of the exhibition “A Portrait of America - The Nation and Ohio:  Selections from the Butler Collection.”  This exhibition was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts  through the Ohio Arts Council.

According to Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona, “If ever a painting belonged in the collection of the Butler Institute, this is the one. Painted by America’s most beloved artist, Norman Rockwell, this work depicts our country’s most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Given the fact that the Butler is our country’s first museum of American art, this masterpiece by one of the greatest of American artists is a most perfect addition.”

Of this work Norman Rockwell wrote, “I hope this painting might inspire the youth of this land to appreciate this man who believed so much in the value of education.”

Titled “Lincoln the Railsplitter,” the 84.5 x 44.5 inch oil on canvas was painted in 1965 as a commission for an advertisement by Lincoln Bank of Spokane, Washington. The painting has not been shown publicly for many years.  “Lincoln the Railsplitter” is the first work by Norman Rockwell to be included in the Butler’s permanent collection, thus filling an important gap in the Institute’s twentieth century historic survey. The painting was purchased with moneys from the Butler’s acquisition fund, Draime Fund and through community gifts. “Lincoln the Railsplitter” was acquired at a November, 2006, auction held at Christies, New York City.

“Lincoln the Railsplitter” depicts Abe as a young man during the time he pursued the occupation of surveyor in Sangamon County in central Illinois - a time documented in “The Prairie Years” by Carl Sandburg.  (The book served as an inspiration to Rockwell as he created this work.)   Lincoln prepared to be a surveyor as he would later prepare for his law career, by immersing himself in various text books. The painting depicts just such study, portraying the future president with an axe in one hand, and holding a text book with the other.  A railsplitter’s tool is draped over Abe’s shoulder, and the painting also includes an image of a log cabin and a newly build split rail fence, with remnants of felled trees in close proximity.

Youngstown Butler Location Features Pastel Gallery
Thanks to the generosity of Flora B. Giffuni of New York City, the Butler Institute in Youngstown features a permanent gallery devoted to the display of pastels works. The Flora B. Giffuni Gallery of American Pastel Art offers exhibitions of accomplished American artists, group shows from the Pastel Society of America, as well as the display of pastel works from the Butler's prestigious collection. Information about programs and demonstrations to highlight the Butler's Giffuni Gallery exhibition are planned by the Institute's Education Department.

Adopt-A-Painting Program Continues
The Butler's collection now exceeds 20,000 individual works, and conservation needs far exceed the funds available. Through the Institute's Adopt-a-Paining program, generous individuals help the museum meet that need by donating funds to cover the cost of painting restoration. A donation by Neita Burger and Debra Burger has resulted in cleaning and conservation of Gardner Symons' "Silence and Evening Light" , a beautiful plein-air winter scene now on view in the Butler's Watson Gallery of American Impressionism.

You, your friends and/or your company may also "adopt" a work of art from the Butler collection that is in need of conservation. To date, of the ten Butler paintings earmarked for conservation, six have received funding for restoration, and four have been conserved. Adopted paintings will carry permanent signage to acknowledge the donor or donors by name.

For further information, or to adopt a painting through a tax deductible donation to the Butler, contact Butler's registration department, Call ext. 116. or email

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