PLEASE CLICK on the photographs to enlarge and enhance them.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Here’s a mini-exhibition of Daniel Chester French’s beloved sculpture of the sixteenth president, offering several unique views, along with quotes by the sculptor, poet Walt Whitman, a historian, and an African-American Civil War soldier, as well as Lincoln himself including the conclusion of the Gettysburg Address which is being remembered today on its 151st anniversary. See the end of the blog for fast facts on the work of art, plus links to the entire content of the two minute speech and other pertinent websites.
PLEASE click on the photographs for an enhanced image. Also, more portraits of Abraham Lincoln can found on our Monday blog.
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DISCOVERING THE MAN
The memorial tells you just what manner of man you are come to pay homage to; his simplicity, his grandeur and his power.
Daniel Chester French, Sculptor
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FREEDOM
Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.
Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Henry L. Pierce, April 6, 1859
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THE WESTERNER
Courage, honesty, self-reliance, democracy, and nationalism were the ideals of the frontier. Lincoln absorbed these qualities to the fill, and benefited by the opportunities that the frontier afforded.
Biographer Benjamin Thomas
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LINCOLN’S HAND
This dust was once the Man,
Gentle, plain, just and resolute, under whose cautious hand
Against the foulest crime in history known in any land or age,
Was saved the Union of these States.
Walt Whitman, poet
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A FROCK COAT
French creates him as a man in a frock coat, sitting on a throne—a combination of an ordinary mortal and a god.
Anonymous
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THE TALLEST PRESIDENT
…….as he arose to speak, his tall form towered above the little Assembly.
Robert B. Rutledge, remembrance of Lincoln, November, 1866
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HONORING LINCOLN
Quiet
Respect Please
U.S. National Park Service
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THE STRIPES AND STARS
Ho for the flag of the union. the stripes and stars of light—
A million arms. Shall guard it. and may god defend the right—
Ay brothers let us love it, and let Every heart be true.
Hannibal Cox, Letter to Abraham Lincoln, 1864, 14th U.S. Colored Troops
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GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
..that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain–that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom–and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
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FAST FACTS
Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), born Exeter, New Hampshire; studied both in United States and Europe; first major commission, The Minute Man in 1873; participated in many artistic projects for U.S. government and other institutions such as the Boston Public Library; actually created two Lincolns, one for Nebraska State Capitol and the second for the U.S. Mall; divided time between New York City and country home Chesterwood in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
French received Lincoln Memorial commission in 1914; worked on at least 4 models based on photographs and cast of president’s face and hands by Leonard Volk; when Greek Parthenon temple inspired building finished, French and architect Henry Bacon together determined final 19 foot height of statue (on 10 foot pedestal); carved by the Piccirilli Brothers from 28 blocks of Georgia marble.
Dedicated May 30, 1922; incrsciption on the wall behind Lincoln as well as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (on left wall) and Second Inaugural Address (on right wall).
AND MYTHS
No sign of sign language. Lincoln’s hands do not form his initials in sign language (consult Chesterwood link below for explanation). French did sculpt a statue of Thomas Gallaudet, who founded first school of the deaf so that may explain the confusion.
Strange but not true. French did not create an image on the back of Lincoln’s head which has often been identified as Robert E. Lee (see: National Park link below).
FULL TEXT OF GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
All photos are courtesy of Joan Hart.
And discover the spirit and beauty of the arts in Through an Artist’s Eyes: Learning to Live Creatively!
