The Lincol Memorial as an art object Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Lincol Memorial as an art object - Essay Example t and would not have been strong enough to support the structure of the Lincoln Memorial, supports for the structure were built by embedding them down almost 100 feet into bedrock, thereby creating cave like formations under the stairs that exist under the stairs and forms stalactites and stalagmites of calcium carbonate.(www2.nature.nps.gov) As pointed out by Professor Smith (1996), the Lincoln Memorial is built in the neo-classical style of art, derived from the Greek high, classical art forms as evidenced in the Parthenon. The Lincoln Memorial is built with similar fluted columns and represents an attempt to sanctify an American President by making Lincoln sitting within a recess behind the columns in the same manner as the statute of Athena sits within the Parthenon.(Smith, 1996). The Memorial is erected as a Temple, representing the dawn of a new age, in much the same manner the construction of the Parthenon in Greece represented the dawn of a new era of freedom and enlightenment among the Greeks. The art form of the Lincoln Memorial is also filled with symbolism. For example, the 36 columns comprising the structure represent the 36 states that were in existence at the time that Lincoln died (Nathan, 1998). The attic above the columns however contains 48 stone festoons which are intended to represent the number of states that existed during the time that the monument was actually constructed. The murals on the monument are also symbolic in nature and the figures represented in the murals stand for justice, fraternity, charity immortality and unity.(Nathan 1998). The murals titled Emancipation and Reunion are painted by Jules Guerin. The painting Emancipation which hangs on the southern wall is of the Angel of Truth standing with her arms stretched out above her head and slaves breaking free within her wings.(www2.nature.nps.gov). The words contained in Lincoln’s Gettysburg address are engraved on the limestone wall. The painting Reunion on the other