It is a thing as rare as it is welcome--an authoritative book about a
visual artist that is both well written and jargon free, and that
seamlessly addresses a professional audience as well as the general
reader.--The Wall Street Journal
The definitive biography of Daniel Chester French, the artist who
created the statue for the Lincoln Memorial, John Harvard in Harvard
Yard, and The Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts. Daniel Chester
French (1850-1931) is America's best-known sculptor of public monuments.
Harold Holzer's authoritative biography combines rich personal details
from French's life with a nuanced study of his artistic evolution and
beautiful archival photographs of his life and work.
A fascinating life story written for readers interested in American
art, sculpture, and history. Comprehensively researched and written in
a lively, engaging manner, readers will be captivated by French's life
work and story. His diligent dedication to perfecting his craft over
many decades of hard work is an inspiring story of artistic evolution.
Written by an award-winning Abraham Lincoln scholar. A preeminent
author of numerous books on Civil War-era art and history, Harold Holzer
turns his eye to the development of an important American sculptor whose
evolution ran parallel to, and deeply influenced, the development of
American sculpture, iconography, and historical memory.
- Includes a comprehensive geographical guide to more than one hundred
Daniel Chester French sculptures and monuments throughout the United
States
- Specially commissioned by Chesterwood, the home and studio of Daniel
Chester French, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Magisterial.... Just as French was an apt sculptor for his famed
subjects, we, as readers, are fortunate to have French's story told to
us by Harold Holzer.--Concord Journal
