Daniel Chester French

Daniel Chester French was a renowned American sculptor, best known for his iconic works such as the Seated Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was commissioned by the United States Congress and dedicated by President Herbert Hoover. French's sculptures often featured prominent figures from American history, including Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was also a member of the National Sculpture Society and exhibited his works at the Paris Exposition and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. French's artistic style was influenced by his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his apprenticeship with John Quincy Adams Ward in New York City.

● Early Life and Education

Daniel Chester French was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, to Henry Flagg French and Anne Richardson. He grew up in a family of modest means and was educated at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, where he studied architecture and sculpture under the guidance of William Robert Ware and Charles Elliot Norton. French's early interest in sculpture was encouraged by his mentor, John Quincy Adams Ward, who introduced him to the works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Frederick William MacMonnies. French also traveled to Europe to study the works of Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.

● Career

French's career as a sculptor spanned over five decades, during which he created numerous iconic works, including the Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts, and the Melvin Memorial in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He was commissioned by the United States government to create sculptures for the United States Capitol and the White House, including a bust of George Washington for the National Gallery of Art. French also created sculptures for the New York Public Library, the Boston Public Library, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Academy of Design, and exhibited his works at the Salon (Paris), the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

● Notable Works

Some of French's most notable works include the Seated Lincoln statue, the Minute Man statue, and the Melvin Memorial. He also created sculptures of prominent figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and John Greenleaf Whittier. French's sculptures can be found in numerous museums and public spaces, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the United States Capitol. His works have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, the Whitney Biennial, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. French also created sculptures for the World's Fair in Chicago and the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.

● Style and Technique

French's style was characterized by his use of classical and realist techniques, which were influenced by his studies of Greek and Roman art at the British Museum and the Vatican Museums. He was also influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, which he saw at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. French's sculptures often featured intricate details and textures, which were achieved through his use of marble and bronze. He was also known for his ability to capture the likenesses and personalities of his subjects, as seen in his sculptures of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. French's technique was praised by his contemporaries, including Kenyon Cox and Royal Cortissoz, who wrote about his works in The New York Times and The Nation.

● Legacy and Later Life

French's legacy as a sculptor has endured long after his death, with his works remaining some of the most iconic and recognizable in American art. He was awarded numerous honors and awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects. French's studio, which was located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is now a museum and is operated by the Society of Architectural Historians. His works can be found in numerous museums and public spaces, including the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the United States Capitol. French died on October 7, 1931, at his home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts, near the graves of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Category:American sculptors