Looking at the uncropped image (from the source link) of the "smirking Lincoln", the smirk disappears [for me] and he simply looks relaxed.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abraham_Lincoln_O-116...

In fact, after returning and looking at the cropped image, he no longer looks like he is smirking at all. Maybe it's the power of suggestion in the article.

Yes.