Evening star., 1936-06-07

that she perform the duties Of her
Office or a stated amount Of work
greater than any performed by her
fellow clerks. Thus it was that she
worked for two years.
The result Of her efforts was shown
to a committee of Congressman.
Winnie was awarded the commission
for the statue of the President. Not,
however, without opposition from
prominent men was the award made.
Senators Sumner and Butler opposed
the plan, and the papers Of the day
tell Of one man who rose in Congress
to say that he would as soon expect a
woman to write the niad or lead an
army as to think one capable Of
executing this statue.
Today her work stands In the
rotunda of the Capitol in Washing
ton. 1t is one Of half dozen statues
which memorialize Abraham Lincoln
in the National Capital. Three are
standing figures; one is an heroic
size portrait head, the third portrays
the kneeling Lincoln. The master
piece of Daniel Chester French, the
figure of Lincoln in the Lincoln Me-
mortal, is seated.
Lincoln at Prayer" is the name of
the statue given comparatively re-
Gently to the Washington Cathedral.
1t is the gift Of Mrs. William T
Hildrup. jr., Of New York, whose
brother, the late Herbert Spencer
Houch, executed the figure Lincoln,
the burdened leader of men, kneels
"in the presence of something greater
than himself, something older than
himself, some one who was before
him and would be after him :" His
head Is bowed. His arms are relaxed
at his side. Lincoln, the leader, has
become Lincoln, the man seeking
divine guidance.
1t is Lincoln the orator who is
portrayed in the statue which stands
before the Court House. This Is the
work Of Lot Flannery. Like Clark
Mills, who executed the first equestrian
statue made by an American sculptor,
Flannery. at one time lieutenant in
the United States Army, was self
taught.
IN WASHINGTON it happens not
infrequently that statues are made
fun Of, and proposals to remove them
are seriously considered. but when the
time arrives for their removal so
great Is the clamor Of protest that
the figures cling to their pedestals
This is true of the jaunty equestrian
statue of Washington in Washington
Circle, Gen. Jackson in Lafayette
Park and the Flannery memorial to
Lincoln. For years they have been
the subject Of adverse criticism and
ridicule- they continue to be part
Of the familiar Washington land
scape.
The emancipation group in Lincoln
Park receives the accolade Of approval
given to it by one Of the distinguished
American sculptors, Lorado Taft. The
author Of the History Of American
Sculpture" says OF this work by Thomas
Ball: Mr.. Balls conception is q lofty
one, which he has conveyed in a
language ineligible to all and in
terms as we'll Of sculptural signifi-
canoe. The Lincoln Monument is one
Of the inspired works Of American
sculpture; q great theme expressed
with emotion by an artist Of inteIli-
gence and sympathy, who felt what
he was doing" A young colored man,
his chains broken, kneels at the feet
of the President. Lincoln stands with
the Emancipation Proclamation In his
right hand. His left arm is extended
so that his hand hovers in blessing
| over the shoulders of the man re-
leased from bondage.
BY an act Of Congress, the heroic
head of Lincoln by Gutzon Borglum
occupies its place In the rotunda of
the Capitol in Washington. When
studying this work 1t is interesting
to bear in mind the fact that Borglum
himself cut the head directly from
the marble. This great artist has
| identified himself in an especially
significant way with the life Of Lin
coin. Readers who are familiar with
Newark. N. j., will recall Borglum's s
| memorial, Of which Rilla Jackman
has said that it Is "the most demo-
cratic statue Of that most democratic
OF men" II Is affectionately called
The Lonely Lincoln" It has, how
ever, little opportunity to be lonely.
Here Lincoln has seated himself to
rest for little time upon low bench.
Beside him is his tall silk hat. The
visitor can approach him In 30 in
innate a way that he feels as II -
is actually in the presence Of one Of
the greatest figures Of history. Since
the day of its unveiling childr-n have
been especially drawn 10 ~ statue.
They play upon the pedestal and sit
in the lap Of Lincoln.
THE might, majesty, dominion and
power" Of the office of President
is exemplified in the work by Daniel
Chester French, which dominates the
Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
Where in the Borg,um statue there Is
the quality Of intimacy, here Is aloof-
ness and absorption. Instinctivelyl
men remove their hats and voices are
hushed. It has been explained By the
CONTINUED on Seventh Pase.)