Pruett A. Carter (1891-1955) Lincoln and hos Sons.

Pruett A. Carter (1891-1955) Lincoln and his Sons, signed and dated Pruett/Carter/24 (lower left) and signed again, indistinctly titled with printer notation (on the reverse). Oil on canvas. Provenance: Atherton Gallery, Menlo Park, California; Private collection, San Mateo, California.
President Abraham Lincoln had four sons, Robert, Edward, Willie, and Tad, but experienced immense tragedy, as only the eldest, Robert, survived to adulthood. While Lincoln was devoted, often indulgent father, three of his sons died young, with Willie passing away in the White House in 1862. Abraham Lincoln seated centrally appearing as bearded, bespectacled figure looking down at which, his son Tad in army uniform seated on his father lap. He represents the innocent loving, and slightly mischievous son. Robert Todd Lincoln standing in the corner positioned as the eldest son. He is dressed in Union Army Lieutenant uniform, representing the war effort and his role as a staff member to General Grant. A scene contrasting the domestic warmth of father and son (Tad) with the harsh reality of war represent by Robert in Uniform.
Pruett carter (9 Feb 1891- 1 Dec 1955) was an American illustrator who taught at the Grand Central of Art and The Chouinard Art Institute. He illustrated national magazines, and was art director for Atlanta Journal and Good Housekeeping., Carter was inducted into the Society of Illustrator's Hall of Fame in 1988. Carter was born in 1891 in Missouri. He grew up in Wyoming on an Indian Reservation. He studied art at the Art Student League of Los Angeles. He then studied in New York under Robert Henri. His and Rex Slinkard's works were exhibited at the league in 1910. Carter taught illustration at the Grand Central School of Art in New York City, with N.C. Wyeth and Harvey Dunn. Carter married a woman named Theressa, and about 1920 they had a son named Deal. He and his family lived on the East Coast of the United States until about 1930, when they moved to California. They were living in Studio City, Los Angeles in mid 1950's. About December 1, 1955, Carter killed his wife and his son, who had been handicapped from birth, while they were sleeping, and then killed himself. Carter had been emotionally upset about selling the family house and upcoming move to Carrollton, Georgia.