Harold Holzer on Daniel Chester French and the Lincoln Memorial

A hundred years ago, 50,000 people gathered on the Mall for the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial—which featured the largest and most ambitious marble sculpture ever created in America: the monumental, seated Abraham Lincoln by Arts Club of Washington charter member, Daniel  Chester French.

This is another in the series of centennial observances. The Arts Club of Washington presents Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer—author of the  award-winning 2019 biography: Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel  Chester French—with an illustrated talk on the sculptor, his extraordinary career, and his greatest achievement. The talk explores French’s New England youth and training, his early successes, his brief and unsatisfying career in Washington, his later triumphs, and the behind-the-scenes process that resulted in the extraordinary Lincoln Memorial.

The Arts Club of Washington occupies the historic home of James Monroe when he served as secretary of state. During 1862, this was the residence of Brig. Gen. James Wadsworth when he was military governor of Washington. Lincoln was very close to the general and his wife. The general was killed in the Wilderness in 1864 and Lincoln was reported to be as grief-stricken as he was for his friend Edward Baker in 1861. It is likely (though undocumented) that Lincoln visited the Wadsworths in this building.       

Q & A will follow Holzer's talk. Also, light refreshments will be served and the book: Monument Man available to purchase. There is a charge of $20 for Lincoln Group members and guests. Please complete your reservation at: 

https://artsclubofwashington.org/events/details/?event_id=4781874