| What makes it beautiful? |
This is probably Washington, D.C.‘s most recognizable memorial. How do I know this? The sheer quantity of tour groups and fellow traveling animals hopping up and down its steps boggled my mind! But popularity doesn’t make beauty. I love that Lincoln is in a temple, because he preserved the sanctity of unity that made this great experiment called America work. Surrounding the exterior are the names of the states that he helped keep together.
I love that Mr. Lincoln is always looking outward, never down. He’s fixated upon the monument to his hero, George Washington, whose ideals he worked hard to uphold! The carving is expressive, giving him profoundly contemplative eyes, and the handles of his chairs are balanced upon fasces, representing unity, though lacking the traditional ax. That means he wanted the people to have power over the government! I think it was fitting that the memorial was dedicated right after every state had come together to fight in the first World War! |
