Preservation of the Spirit
Preservation of the Spirit was commissioned by the Abraham Lincoln Foundation to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of The Union League of Philadelphia. The painting’s main focus is not Lincoln himself, but a representation of Lincoln in the form of a white, rider-less horse, stirrup facing backwards, the manner in which Lincoln’s horse appeared during his funeral procession in April 1865. Marching across the landscape are members of the military from the Civil War to modern times. They are joined by founding members of the Union League including George Boker and John Hare as well as other historic members and more contemporary, representative members.
“Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, every where. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.”
-Abraham Lincoln, September 11, 1858
Vincent Desiderio
American, 1955 -
Oil on canvas, 64 x 118 inches
The 150th Anniversary Painting was made possible by the generous support of a small number of Union league members. These fifteen union league stewards subscribed to a special fund established by the Abraham Lincoln Foundation.
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Asher, Jr.
Gabriel A. Battista
Boscia Family Foundation
Joseph A. Coffey, Esq.
Cricket-Groundhog Club Table
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Donnelly, Jr.
Ladies Committee of the Union League
Sandra Muller
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Petrone
Jon and Karen Sirlin
Manning and Virginia Smith
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Straw
Drs. John and Josephine Templeton
William R. Watson – The Heuer Foundation
The Robert G. Wilder Foundation/Gordon H. Wilder
Framed and unframed prints are available for purchase. Contact Kira Foley-Tuzman, Director of Development & Accounting, at 215 587 6455 or foley-tuzmank@unionleague.org for more information.