Heritage Film Project is thrilled to announce the release of Daniel Chester French: American Sculptor on our streaming platform. This full, unedited version of the award-winning documentary, which premiered in May 2022, is now available to rent or purchase.
The film, directed by Eduardo Montes-Bradley, delves into the life and career of Daniel Chester French, one of America’s most celebrated sculptors. French is perhaps best known for his iconic rendering of President Abraham Lincoln seated in the Lincoln Memorial, a timeless symbol of democracy and national unity. The documentary follows French’s journey from his upbringing on a New Hampshire farm to his rise as a central figure in the art world of New York. It explores his early influences, including his connection to Ralph Waldo Emerson in Concord, and his first major commission, The Minute Man, a monument created in 1874 to commemorate the centennial of U.S. independence.
Through a thoughtful narrative, the film sheds light on French’s most significant works, such as Alma Mater at Columbia University, Standing Lincoln at the Nebraska State Capitol, The Spirit of Life in Saratoga Springs, and the Marquis de Lafayette in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. It also recognizes the crucial contributions of the Piccirilli Brothers, the artisans responsible for carving almost all of French’s marble and stone sculptures, whose work has historically gone under-acknowledged.
The documentary incorporates insights from historians, curators, and art scholars, including Harold Holzer, Daniel Preston, Thayer Tolles, and Michele Bogart, among others. Their perspectives offer a deeper understanding of French’s artistic legacy and the cultural significance of his creations.
Produced with the support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Chesterwood, and the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund, the film not only celebrates French’s accomplishments but also provides an intimate view of his personal and professional life. It captures the essence of his work, from his early artistic development to the creation of monuments that continue to resonate as defining symbols of American identity.
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