The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-09
THE NEW LINCOLN STATUE.
Private View of Winnie Ream's Work-u ts
Pronounced success - History of the
Sculptor and her Work.

Pronounced Success- History of the
Sculptor and her Work.
The Washington Star of Saturday gives the
following account of the work and its author:-
The workmen prepared to lift this veil, and
there was sudden hush in the buzz of CONVEX
satioD, in anticipation of the event. 1t must
have been an anxious moment to the courageous
little sculptor, and to her personal friends pre-
sent. Could it be that the fragile youthful figure
standing there, pale and anxious, and rendered
more childlike in appearance by her petite form
and wealth of Dora-like curls, had made a
success where so many older sculptors-Brown
notably and recently-had failed?
The veil was raised slowly, disclosing first the
base bearing the simple words Abraham Lin
coln:" then the well-remembered form; and
finally and essentially, the head of the patriot
martyr. There was a momentary hush and
then an involuntary, warm. and universal
demonstration of applause gave the verdict of
the distinguished and critical gathering, and
assured the artist that her work was to be set
down O success. There was another pause,
while a more deliberate view was taken; aud
then another and another round of applause
confirmed and rendered final the involuntary
decision from the first impression
And then everybody turned to where the little
sculptor girl Stood little in the rear, with g'ad
tears in her. eyes, and congratulations were
poured in upon her from all quarters, official
and unofficial; the Illinoisans present being
foremost in expressing their satisfaction with
her representation of the man they revered.
The expressed opinion of Senator Trumbull and
others from that State was that the statue gives
that thoughtful, benignant expression familiar
to those who knew Mr.. Lincoln best, and which
was best worthy perpetuating In marble
On all the points at issue, of likeness and
artistic excellence, the opinion of SO competent
an authority as the distinguished painter Kel-
logg, who has both European and American
reputation, will be read with interest aud we
subjoin it in place of any less competent descrip
tion of our own;-
"The features of Mr. Lincoln are admirably
rendered, and 1t was this faithful delineation of
character which obtained for Miss Ream the
commission for this statue over many abler
competitors. The head and features are forcibly
yet truthfully modelled, the hair boldly man
aged in flowing masses, as by the skill OF eXpe-
rience; and the expression of sadness, mingled
with beneVolence, 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 solicltude the multitude of a newly
liberatedtpeople, to whom is presented, by the
right hand, the proclamation of their emanci-
patton. A long circular cloak covers the right
shoulder and arm, falls backward off the left,
being held partially under the forearm and
caught up by the left hand, which grasps Its
ample folds as If in readiness to cover with the
protecting mantle of the Government the de-
fepseless beings who are to receive the inesti-
mable boon of freedom; beautiful thought of
the artste-aptly and ingeniously symbolized.
The cloak is happily arranged to give breadth
as well as dignity to very tall and meagre
figure.
1t plays also a useful part in aiding to sup
port where il touches the ground, the weight
of the statue. The figure is we'll poised, stand
ing firmly and naturally; and its action is in
perfect harmony with the idea represented.
There are no unnecessary or trivial details in
the drapery TO mar the grandeur of effect large
masses being introduced with such artistic
knowledge and feeling as to give maniiness and
dignity to the subject
Miss Ream was born in Madison, Wisconsin:
Her father, Robert l.. Ream was Territorial
Treasurer of Wisconsin under Governor Dodge,
aud subsequently held various other public posi-
! tiops in the State. He came TO washington
during the last year of Fillmore's administra-
tion, and took position as draughtsman In the
! General Land Office. Afterwards he went to
| Kansas as chief clerk for Surveyor-General Cal
houn. During the time he was in Kansas, his
children were sent to school at the Christian
College. Miss Ream, when very young, wrote
verses which attracted considerable attention,
and afterwards gave much attention to music
By copying medallion she attracted attention
| to her powers with the knife and chisel.
Since she has been in Europe, she has re-
ceiVed marked attention from many eminent
artists, and. amo lg others, Father Hyacinthe.
Cardinal AntOnelli and Liszt gave her sittings
| for their buste