In this letter to a trusted friend from Springfield, Lincoln expressed great optimism about his chances of success in the upcoming presidential election. However, the uncertain future of the nation weighed heavily upon his mind. One month later, Preston Butler took this photograph of Lincoln at his studio on Adams Street at the request of Philadelphia artist John Henry Brown. As others had before him, Brown observed that Lincoln’s sunken cheeks, deep-set eyes, and large ears and nose created a stern look, masking a warm and genial nature that quickly became evident in his lively conversation and story telling.