This painting depicts Abraham Lincoln standing in the Oval Office, with a semi-completed capital in the background. In his left hand is the proclamation of emancipation signed using the pen beside him. This painting serves almost as a transition within my theme. Lincoln is a symbol of freedom and equality, and yet, I decided to portray him drawing inspiration from Manet’s absinth drinker. This serves as a segue from the positive represented by Lincoln to the negative represented by alcoholism.