File:Statues of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln Memorial (1922) (14774995891).jpg

Identifier: statuxxxxxxflinc (find matches)
Title: Statues of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln Memorial
Year: 1922 (1920s)
Authors: Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
Subjects: French, Daniel Chester, 1850-1931 Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Presidents in art Presidents Marble sculpture, American Lincoln Memorial (Washington, D.C.) Large-scale sculpture
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Contributing Library: Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
Digitizing Sponsor: State of Indiana through the Indiana State Library

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s: Bacons good friend, 65-year-old French. His appointment at the end of 1914 apparently met 57 ■ ■ . T~X— with no opposition. Frenchs course of action was set:he would resign his chairmanship of the nations FineArts Commission to execute the statue that one con-temporary declared—with no bow toward the 28-year-old Statue of Liberty—probably would be seen bymore people than any other sculpture in the world. Work on the memorial building was well under waywhen French first began to make a statue, not byexecuting preliminary drawings but rather by model-ing at small scale in clay. He had, after all, steeped himself earlier in Lincolnresearch for the Nebraska statue, reading biographies,studying photographs, principally from the collectionof Frederick Meserve, even purchasing the Lincolnlife mask and casts of Lincolns hands. Now, again, French faced the crucial problem ofthe historical sculptor. A biographer creates a multi-faceted portrait in words, but the sculptor must focus
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Memorial cornerstone was laid on Lincolns birthday,1915. Joseph Blackburn, former Kentucky Senator,is under pulley. Architect Bacon stands at his left,Col. William Harts, Commission secretary, far right. on a single theme, creating a likeness that embodiesand communicates his subjects essential qualities. At present I feel very much encouraged, but I amsuspicious of my first enthusiasms, French confidedto Bacon. When I get anything that is worthwhile, Ishall, of course, expect you to come up (to Chester-wood, the sculptors Massachusetts home) and seewhat I have to offer. In the small model, or maquette, French began tograsp the basic design, being concerned initiallywith the form and shape of the composition. WithBacons satisfaction warmly given, French submittedthe first model to federal officials in Washington.Approval came quickly from the Lincoln Memorialand Fine Arts Commissions. Attention next wasturned to the preparation of a contract. To expeditematters, French worked directly

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