Lincoln Memorial is a classical political monument of the government of the United States of America. Like various other monuments, this fine architectural memorial was constructed in respect to Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President of the American nation. Situated adjoining the Washington Monument, on the National Mall, the spellbinding memorial is a perfect illustration of graceful carving and sculpting work.
The memorial had made to the 7th position of the list of America’s Favorite Architecture in 2007. Besides, it has been recorded in the National Register of Historic Places. Classified under the National Mall and Memorial Parks, the memorial is completely managed by the National Park Service. It has a history of being a landmark for various political speeches like that of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’, which was given in a gathering after ‘The Great March on Washington’.
Features of Lincoln Memorial
The honor monument of the American nation, the Lincoln Memorial is a resplendent structure that incorporates elegantly built columns stretching to a height of 44 feet from the base. Each of these columns are 7.5 feet in diameter and 36 in number. Every part of the monument is connected to some or the other characteristic and symbolic feature of the American history.
- Also Read: National Building Museum Washington D.C.
External Features
The exterior attributes of the memorial are very influential and enchant the viewers with its aesthetic beauty. One of the identifiable dimension of the memorial is the Yule marble from Colorado, a transfigured limestone, which is mainly used in the construction. Besides, it is found to be a reflexion of a neoclassical Greek temple. Standing at a height of 99 feet and measuring 189.7 by 118.5 feet, the comely monument takes pride in its 36 exquisitely structured Doric columns. Following the peristyle of architecture, the columns are found to maintain the fluting mode of construction.
The 36 columns have a historic relation and symbolize the 36 states associated with the Union during the time of Abraham Lincoln’s death. The names of the 36 states along with the dates on which they were included in the Union are engraved on the frieze section of the construction located at the upper side of the colonnade. Moreover, the names are distinguished from each other with the help of double wreath medallions in low relief.
Another distinctive external feature of the memorial is the set of two special columns built at its entrance on the back side of the colonnade. The architect of the monument has used 12 capitals and drums for building the columns. The external walls and facades, similar to the columns, are slenderly leaning towards the interior part of the memorial. The cornice molding sculptured whorl is veritably posed with protruding heads of lions. It is also decorated with palmetto crowns continuing until the top edge of the structure.
Internal Features
The internal part of the structure is split into three chambers with the help of 2 rows of Ionic columns. The Ionic columns are 5.5 feet in diameter at the pedestal and 50 feet in height. The chambers located on the southern and northern side construction have graven writings about the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address of the Abraham Lincoln. The United States female sculptor, Evelyn Beatrice Longman performed the beautiful work of decorating the graven writings. The decoration was done using pilasters including wreaths, eagles, and fasces.
There are 48 stone draperies at the loft preceding the columns which give an emblematic expression of 48 states of the 1922 Union. The mural located on the upper side of the inscriptions provide a visual art presentation of the governing principles that were manifested in Abraham Lincoln’s life. The wall on the northern side depicts charity, fraternity, and unity while that on the southern side represents law, freedom, immortality, liberty, and justice. Both of these walls incorporate a setting of cypress trees, which are the symbolization of eternity.
- Also Read: Library of Congress, Washington D.C.
Abraham Lincoln Statue
The renowned American sculptor, Daniel Chester French, designed the elegantly built Abraham Lincoln Statue, which was disclosed in 1922. This prodigious seated sculpture was graven by prominent marble carvers, the Piccirilli Brothers. The sculpting work of the statue is observed to pursue the American Renaissance and Beaux Arts customs.
This remarkable sculpture rising 30 feet from the ground level incorporates a pedestal of 11 feet in height and 19 foot seated carved model. The Lincoln sculpture staring straight in the front and slenderly below gives a message of sedateness and solemness to its viewers. The sculpture is combined with 28 solid cubes of Georgia marble, which are sober white in color.
Daniel Chester French made use of the casts of his own fingers with a view to acquire the accurate placement. Lincoln’s arms relaxing on the ritualistic, rounded arm chair and their peculiar expressions speak much about his attribute. The fronts of the chair hold fasces and demonstrate designs from the Roman historic period. The wide flag mantled all over the chair and Lincoln’s unbuttoned frock coat are typical attractions of the statue.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Situated at the foundation of the Lincoln Memorial steps, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool holds the reputation of getting counted among the largest reflecting pools of Washington, D.C. The pool fascinates the visitors with reflecting melodramatic visuals of the memorial. It is bordered by shadowy trees and walking pathways on either side. Apart from the Lincoln Memorial, the pool is found to reflect the beautiful parts of the National Mall and Washington Monument.
The 167 feet broad reflecting pool was planned by a famous American Beaux Arts architect, Henry Bacon. Designed from 1922 through 1923, this pleasant looking pool stretches up to the length of 2,029 feet. It has a capacity of sustaining 6,750,000 US gallons of water and has a depth of 30 inches at its center portion.
The District’s conspicuous monument, the Lincoln Memorial is close to the hearts of the travelers visiting the American land. Visit this splendorous monument to experience the refined work of antique architecture reflecting the Lincoln history.