The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-04
diss Ream's Statue OF Lincoln.

The model Of the statue OF President Lincoln,
executed by Miss Winnie Ream, by order OF Con-
gress, is now being exhibited In her studio to the
members of Congress. There is lively interest
excited TO learn In what manner the sculptor has
accomplished work of more than ordinary diff
Guilty in scupture-even to those Of experience
and artistic cultivation in the schools Of art. To
model o life.siZe sgure of o subjsct lacking many
of the qualities which make portrait statue
attractive and impressive, and yet to meet the
reasonable expectations of the many who knew
the original, personally, so well, Is 70 achieve
greater success than is usual in art 49,
II is an ordeal requiring courage and the faith
of genius to meet, and especially so must it have
been to Miss Resm under the circumstances which
have lately attracted so much public attention to
the GTfiste, and to the work abe now submits to
the criticism of those who commissioned 10.
The proportions of the figure are very exact, an
extraordinary merit, which well repays the years
of silent and laborious study given by Miss Ream
TO modelling the entire anatomy OF the figure
before casting the drapery upon 1t. Wen would
1t be all aspirants for excellence to take the
same rugged path 30 wisely and perseveringly
pursued by this young lady. We subjoin the an
nexed critique Of the statue by Minor X. Kellogg,
dence abroad and study of thirty years in the
schools of art in the capitals OF Europe fully
qualify him for the undertaking.
" The features OF Mr.. Lincoln are admirably
rendered, and it was this faithful delinestion Of
character which obtained for Miss Resm the COM
mission for this statue over many able competi-
tors. The head and features are forcibly yet
tTuthfully modelled, the hair boldly managed in
flowing masses, as by the skill Of experience, and
the expression of sadness, mingled with benevo-
lenee, is touchingly portrayed, well conceived
and appropriate to the expression and meaning OF
the statue. The head, bending slightly forward
and downward, seems to regard with anxious
solicitude the multitude of q newly liberated
people, to whom Ia presented, by the right hand,
the proclamation OF their emancipation. A
long circular cloak covers the right shoulder and
Aool A ~ hal hal hoII
italy under the forearm and caught up by the
left hand which grasps its ample folds as IL in
readiness TO cover with the protecting mantle OF
the government the defenseess beings who are to
receive the inestimsble boon Of freedom. A
beautiful thought of the artistic, aptly and ngeni-
ously symbolized. The cloak Is happily arranged
TO give breadth as well as dignity to very tall
| and meager figure. 1t also plays useful part Ia
aiding to support, where II touenes the grounos
| the weight Of the statue.
1.-THE figure 10 well poised, standing firmly and
| naturally and its action IL in perfect harmony
| with the idea represented. There are no unneces-
sary or trivial details In the drapery TO mar the
grandeur of ansat, large and varied masses being
| introduced with such artistic knowledge and feel
ing as TO give manliness and dignity 10 the sub
| feet. Indeed, there seems unity OF idea and
| design expressed throughout the work, and an
| absence of those conventionalites which are SO
| often visible In the production OF those who have
| derived their ideas Of art principally from the
schools in which they study.
al shall await with no little Impotence TO view
this statue in pure and translucent marble, and be-
| eye that 1t will then be very fsvorably received
| BY the public, and fully sustain the hopes and
| judgments Of those members who had the cour-
/ age to order from so youthful and inexperienced
a candidate a statue of the martyred president. 1
sincerely hope it may do yet more than this in
giving additional illustration Of the fact that the
| Genius OF woman is not less IN the severe art Of
sculpture than il has been in the sister art OF
| psinting. in which many OF the gentler sex have
won A hieh and lasting renown.
- :. MINER KILBoURSE KELLOGG"
| Washington Paper. r-