When the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day one hundred years ago, its symbolism resonated with onlookers. Just a far cry from the idealism advanced by previous memorials, such as the bare-chested George Washington by Horatio Greenough, this colossal statue introduced a different style of commemoration, one just based on realism. For despite its heroic setting  situated within a towering Greek Revival temple  the effect of this sculpture of the Great Emancipator is intimate, exuding a personal feel. One century after its unveiling, the sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln is an essential stop on the National Mall for millions of annual visitors. They climb four score and seven  meaning eighty seven - marble steps of the monument to snap a photo of themselves dwarfed by the massive size of the statue. Symbolism and scale are two qualities that make this memorial so impactful. It has that temple-like quality, and the statue reveals itself slowly as you walk up the steps  does not hit you all at once. And as you move up, you are made small by this incredible statue. The memorial famously depicts Lincoln in a contemplative state, with a worn expression on his face, the Stars and Stripes draped across his shoulders denoting perhaps the weight of holding a new nation steady. However, it is difficult to say exactly what the sculptor Daniel Chester French intended beyond the physical representation as he seldom spoke about his work. One French quote on this was that a statue has to speak for itself and it seems useless to explain to everyone what it means. He had no doubt that people would read into his statue of Lincoln a great deal he had not consciously thought. Whether it would be for good or ill, who could say. It took more than five years for French to complete the statue of Lincoln. Working in his studio, French sculpted not just an iconic tribute to a fallen president. He also created a significant work of art, both for its size  as it rises thirty feet inside the Greek Revival temple  and his unusual portrayal of a seated Lincoln  a rare posture for statues honouring statesmen at the time. Much is made of the symbolism in a positioning of the hands. One of his hands is clenched, representing his strength and determination to see the war through to a successful conclusion. The other hand is a more open, slightly more relaxed hand representing his warm and compassionate nature. Although the Lincoln Memorial is known the world over, the name of its creator goes largely unrecognized. Title: The surprising history behind the Lincoln Memorial Author: Linda Laban Source: published online May 26, 2022 

 
 
