"The Conspirators", by General Lew Wallace

[brtmchl]

I also was immediately drawn to Powell being the focal point of the picture. Not only is he centered, but he appears to tower over the others. His body is tall and erect compared to the rest. All that is missing are beams of light protruding from behind and you could substitute Powell for Lincoln. I would have guessed the artist would have been interpreting Lincoln as a martyr or God like figure, while composing the other conspirators small and slithering about his feet like snakes.

If one were to see this painting before learning about the actual conspiracy the symbolism to me, at least, would portray Powell as the ring leader. But I would still be confused as to why the artist portrayed him as so much more noble than the rest appear. The others are portrayed much more "shady".