Exhibit traces creation of 'Ed Hamilton's Lincoln'
As part of the national celebration of the Lincoln Bicentennial, the Lincoln Memorial at Waterfront Park was unveiled June 4. Visitors to the J.B. Speed Art Museum can trace Louisville sculptor Ed Hamilton's artistic journey in creating the 12-foot statue of a 40-year-old Abraham Lincoln, seated on a rock, looking out onto the Ohio River.
The future president is depicted hatless and before he grew his trademark beard. With his finger holding his place in a book, the Lincoln of the statue appears as if something on the river had caught his attention and interrupted his reading. Forest Boone, president of Museumrock Products of Louisville, designed the monolith upon which Lincoln is seated.
In addition to the Lincoln statue, Hamilton also carved four stone bas-reliefs detailing four different stages of Lincoln's life and experiences in his native Kentucky.
The exhibtion includes drawings, early clay scupltures of the Lincoln statue, plaster models and even the 12-foot final model of the Lincoln sculpture. The statue was cast in bronze in Baltimore.
While some of the Speed Art Museum's exhibitions charge admission, the "Ed Hamilon's Lincoln" exhibit is free; viewing the Speed's permanent collections is always free. Athough admission to the Boulton exhibition and the permanent collections is free, the Speed suggests a $4 donation.
The Lincoln Memorial at Waterfront Park was funded by the State of Kentucky, the family of Harry S. Frazier Jr. and the Kentucky Historical Society/Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Posted by Ivonne Rovira
