Exploring Chesterwood, Home of Lincoln Memorial Sculptor Daniel Chester French

This past Memorial Day was the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, the zenith of the American monument movement that started not long after the end of the Civil War and ended around the Depression, when no one had any spare money and everyone was in a bad mood. Then, people tended to memorialize their last good meal.

For this story, rather than parse the building, a handsome, rousing success, or the sculpture of Lincoln, designed by Daniel Chester French, I’ll report on my visit to Chesterwood, French’s home and studio in Stockbridge in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. French (1850–1931) was America’s premier monument maker during the Gilded Age. I went this weekend.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Abraham Lincoln

This past Memorial Day was the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, the zenith of the American monument movement that started not long after the end of the Civil War and ended around the Depression, when no one had any spare money and everyone was in a bad mood. Then, people tended to memorialize their last good meal.

For this story, rather than parse the building, a handsome, rousing success, or the sculpture of Lincoln, designed by Daniel Chester French, I’ll report on my visit to Chesterwood, French’s home and studio in Stockbridge in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. French (1850–1931) was America’s premier monument maker during the Gilded Age. I went this weekend.