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ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806819
This image shows a newspaper clipping from the Concord Journal, dated October 13, 1977 (Page 14), featuring a detailed article titled:
“Melvin Memorial termed French’s finest.”
The article centers on Daniel Chester French, the renowned American sculptor best known for his statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It explores his lesser-known but highly regarded work, the Melvin Memorial (also known as “ Mourning Victory”), located in Concord, Massachusetts.
Interviewer & Expert: The article is by Priscilla Korell, who interviews Michael Richman, a young Harvard graduate and French expert. Richman, who has been studying French for a decade, calls the Melvin Memorial “French’s finest work,” praising its “terse and concise and very open” nature.
Context of the Memorial: Commissioned in 1901 by James C. Melvin in memory of his three brothers who died in the Civil War, the sculpture was designed by French and architect Henry Bacon. It features a female figure standing over a block of white marble, symbolizing a grieving yet triumphant America.
French’s Own View: French himself reportedly considered the Melvin Memorial his greatest achievement — more important to him than the Lincoln Memorial. He viewed it not as a political monument but as an intimate expression of personal loss on a national scale.
Richman’s Research: Richman has spent years gathering French’s sketches, plaster casts, and photographs — even visiting French’s home in Chesterwood, New York. He’s compiling a three-volume catalogue raisonné of French’s papers, to be published by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
“The Minute Man”: The article also touches on French’s earlier famous work, “The Minute Man” (1874), located in Concord’s North Bridge, which helped launch his career.
French’s Technique & Philosophy: He avoided mass production or overly idealized forms. Richman notes French preferred “a fluid, generalized expression of naturalism” over rigid academic realism. He also dodged pigeons — literally — during outdoor sculpture sessions!
Historical Detail: French began sculpting in the 1880s; was born April 20, 1858, in Exeter, NH; studied at M.I.T. and then in Italy; and lived to be 91, dying in 1931.
Visual Aids: The article includes two photographs:
Sidebar Feature: A small advertisement at the bottom promotes the Magnavox Modular Color Television, priced at $499.96 (regularly $699.99), with a special sale offer valid until April 28.
The article is scholarly yet accessible, highlighting the significance of a local monument through the lens of a young expert’s passion and meticulous research. It repositions French’s legacy beyond the Lincoln Memorial, elevating the Melvin Memorial as his true masterpiece — both emotionally and artistically.
It’s a tribute not only to French’s artistry but also to the quiet, personal stories that shaped America’s public monuments.
The image appears to be a scanned copy of an article from the Concord Journal, dated October 13, 1977, page 14. The article is titled "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest" and is written by Priscilla Korell. It discusses the Melvin Memorial, a sculpture by Daniel Chester French. The article is accompanied by several photographs of the memorial and other works by French.
The text provides background information about Daniel Chester French, his works, and the Melvin Memorial. It mentions that the Melvin Memorial is considered one of French's finest works and that the memorial is located in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The article also includes a photograph of the Melvin Memorial and a plaster cast of the seated Lincoln by French.
Additionally, there is a sidebar that talks about the Melvin Memorial and its significance. It mentions that the memorial is a memorial commissioned by James C. Melvin in honor of his three brothers who died in the Civil War.
The article also includes advertisements for a stereo console and a radio, which are placed at the bottom of the page.
This image is a scanned newspaper page from the "Concord Journal," dated October 13, 1977. The main article is titled "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest" and is written by Priscilla Korell. The article discusses the Melvin Memorial, a sculpture by Daniel Chester French, and its significance in French's career as a sculptor.
The page features several photographs:
The article provides historical context about Daniel Chester French, his works, and the Melvin Memorial. It mentions the exhibit "Daniel Chester French: an American Sculptor" at the Fogg Museum, Harvard University, which continues through November 30.
At the bottom of the page, there are two advertisements:
The newspaper page is placed on a light brown folder, which has two holes punched on the left side, likely for binding in a ring binder. The overall condition of the page appears to be slightly aged, with a yellowish tint.
The image is a newspaper clipping from the Concord Journal, dated October 13, 1977, featuring an article titled "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest." The article discusses the Melvin Memorial, a sculpture by Daniel Chester French, and its significance.
The article is written by Priscilla Korell and provides insights into the Melvin Memorial, which is described as French's finest public statue and a marvelous concept. The sculpture, "Mourning Victory," is located in Concord, Massachusetts. The article highlights French's recognition as an artist and the acclaim he received for his work, including his first work, "Lincoln the Minute Man" (1874).
The article mentions Michael Richman, a young sculptor and French expert, who curated an exhibit on French at the Fogg Museum. Richman's exhibit includes French's works and papers, providing a comprehensive look at French's career. Richman's research and dedication to French's work are emphasized, along with his efforts to collect and preserve French's papers and artworks.
The article also discusses the commissioning of the Melvin Memorial by James C. Melvin to honor his three brothers who died in the Civil War. The sculpture, originally titled "Sleepy Hollow Cemetery," was renamed "Mourning Victory" and is now located on the Lincoln Memorial. The article notes the challenges faced by French in creating the sculpture and the eventual acclaim it received.
Additionally, the article includes a photograph of French's plaster cast of the seated Lincoln on the Lincoln Memorial, produced during the 1870s and 1880s to memorialize local sons. The photograph is credited to the Daniel Chester French exhibit at the Fogg Museum.
The clipping also features advertisements for Concord Stoves and the Washington Monument, with prices listed for various products. The overall tone of the article is one of admiration for Daniel Chester French's work and the significance of the Melvin Memorial in his career.
The image appears to be a newspaper clipping with a headline that reads "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest". The clipping contains an article about a statue of Abraham Lincoln created by French artist Daniel Chester French. The article discusses French's career, his process of creating the statue, and the significance of the statue as a tribute to the three brothers who died in the Civil War. The clipping also includes a photograph of the statue.
The image depicts a page from the October 12, 1977, issue of the Concord Journal, featuring an article titled "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest." The article discusses the Melvin Memorial, a significant sculpture by Daniel Chester French, located in Concord, Massachusetts. Below is a detailed description of the content and layout:
Headline:
Byline:
Visual Elements:
Article Content:
Sidebar and Additional Information:
Design and Typography:
The page effectively combines textual and visual elements to provide a comprehensive overview of the Melvin Memorial, positioning it as a landmark of American sculpture and a testament to Daniel Chester French’s artistic genius. The layout is clear and engaging, making it accessible to readers interested in art, history, or local heritage.
This image shows a newspaper article clipped and mounted on a piece of paper. The main headline reads: "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest." The article details the Melvin Memorial, designed by sculptor Daniel Chester French, and discusses its history and artistic significance. There are two black-and-white images accompanying the text: one features an artistic figure sculpture, likely "Mourning Victory" from the memorial, and the other showcases a plaster cast of the seated Lincoln statue by Daniel Chester French. The text delves into French's career and other works, providing background on him and his achievements. There are also advertisements visible at the bottom, featuring product discounts.
The image shows a newspaper article titled "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest" from the Concord Journal, dated October 13, 1977. The article is written by Priscilla Korell and discusses the Melvin Memorial, a sculpture created by Daniel Chester French, which is described as the finest work French ever completed.
The article includes three columns of text detailing French's work on the memorial, the history and significance of the sculpture, and its reception in the art community. There is a black-and-white photograph of the Melvin Memorial statue—a seated figure of a man—in the center column. The caption below the photo reads: "The Melvin Memorial, 'Morning Victory,' a memorial commissioned by James C. Melvin in honor of his three brothers who died in the Civil War, is termed Daniel Chester French's finest work by Michael Richman, leading authority on Concord's renowned sculptor. It was sited by architect Henry Bacon, who collaborated with French on the Lincoln Memorial and in is Soley Barlow Cemetery." Another smaller photo on the right side shows a plaster cast of the seated Lincoln (on loan from Chesterwood) located at the Daniel Chester French exhibit at the Fogg Museum.
The article praises French's work, highlighting the emotional impact and the quality of the sculpture. It also references other works by French, his artistic process, and the significance of the Melvin Memorial in both his career and in American sculpture more broadly.
The image shows a page from a publication titled "Concord Journal," dated October 13, 1977. The main headline reads "Melvin Memorial termed French's finest." This page discusses the legacy of an artist's work with a focus on the Melvin Memorial. On the right side of the page, there are two smaller printed images: the top one showing a seated sculpture, and the bottom one showcasing a statue of a standing figure with a draped cloth.
Between the columns of text, advertisements from that era can be seen — one for a bank's savings certificate and the other advertising organ concerts at a location called Mechanics Hall. The specific details of the columns, such as the author of the articles and other content, are not easily readable due to the image resolution and angle. The page appears slightly yellowed with age, indicating the newspaper clipping is quite old, and there are three visible holes on the left edge as if it had been placed in a ring binder or similar holding device.
This is a collage of vintage newspaper clippings mounted on a brown backing. The main headline reads, “Melvin Memorial termed French’s finest,” with dense columns of text surrounding it. There are two black‑and‑white photos: a large central image of a nude statue (an evocative sculpture with one arm raised), and a smaller photo in the upper right showing another statue on a pedestal. A few smaller captions and ads are visible, including what looks like an inverted ad at the bottom. The clippings appear to be from the Concord Journal, dated in October 1967.