[1][2][3] The statue exemplifies public art of the New Deal,[4] including its depiction of Lincoln in his youth, a popular topic of the era.

"[6] He is placed in the north end of the lobby,[11] providing a backdrop of deep green terrazzo floors and orange marble-lined walls.

[6] In 1939, Fresno sculptor James Lee Hansen (born 1917)[7] was "discouraged and dissatisfied with his progress"[10] at the Los Angeles Art Center school.

then told him about the Federal Works Agency's contest to design a statue "for the decoration of the Los Angeles Post Office and Courthouse Lobby.

[7] The building had an outdoor theater that showed a documentary about "the achievements of the Works Program as a temporary alleviation of mass unemployment," as well as live crafting exhibits such as wool spinning, pottery, and wood carving.

Hansen brought files with him, intending to smooth off the rough edges of the limestone figure, and "was somewhat flustered by the arrival of news photographers and reporters.

[10] On February 20, 2019, American screenwriter Zack Stentz wrote a tweet describing the statue as "a shirtless young stud suggestively tugging at his waistband like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model."

[1][2][3][8] The Washington Post collected comedic puns given to the statue by Twitter users, including "Gettysburg Undress," "Honest Abs," and "Babe-raham Lincoln.