Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Interesting detail that Mrs. Lincoln would loan the coat to Vinnie Ream

First, Mary Lincoln loaned the clothing to portrait artist Matthew Wilson, who had painted the last life portrait of Lincoln in February 1865. Wilson had the items for almost two years. Then, Mrs. Lincoln loaned sculptor Lavinia "Vinnie" Ream the items, who fashioned a bust of Lincoln out of Carrara marble. Reams said, "The one, great, lasting all dominating impression I have always carried of Lincoln has been that of unfathomable sorrow." Anyone who has seen Ream's magnificent rendering in the Capitol Rotunda would agree.

(02-11-2023 11:52 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hanover-to...tial-relic

Thank you, Roger!

(02-11-2023 05:51 PM)Gene C Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting detail that Mrs. Lincoln would loan the coat to Vinnie Ream

First, Mary Lincoln loaned the clothing to portrait artist Matthew Wilson, who had painted the last life portrait of Lincoln in February 1865. Wilson had the items for almost two years. Then, Mrs. Lincoln loaned sculptor Lavinia "Vinnie" Ream the items, who fashioned a bust of Lincoln out of Carrara marble. Reams said, "The one, great, lasting all dominating impression I have always carried of Lincoln has been that of unfathomable sorrow." Anyone who has seen Ream's magnificent rendering in the Capitol Rotunda would agree.

You can see the Cornell University bust of Lincoln by Vinnie Ream here. Be sure to zoom-in to see just the head of President Abraham Lincoln and the fine work of this accomplished sculptor.

But it says on the website that it is a replica of the original. Does anyone know where the original is?

[quote='Gene C' pid='86370' dateline='1676152278']
"Interesting detail that Mrs. Lincoln would loan the coat to Vinnie Ream."

Mary Lincoln initially objected to having Ream borrow the clothing. In a letter to Alphonso Donn, to whom she gave the clothing," ML called Ream a "stranger, unladylike, and forward." Weeks later, she wrote to Donn again and wished the "stranger to me and mine" to "very sincerely succeed."

(03-18-2023 11:00 AM)ReignetteC Wrote: [ -> ]"Interesting detail that Mrs. Lincoln would loan the coat to Vinnie Ream."

Mary Lincoln initially objected to having Ream borrow the clothing. In a letter to Alphonso Donn, to whom she gave the clothing," ML called Ream a "stranger, unladylike, and forward." Weeks later, she wrote to Donn again and wished the "stranger to me and mine" to "very sincerely succeed."

Do you believe that Vinnie Ream, who Mary Lincoln described in the initial letter to Alphonso Donn as this "stranger to me and mine," was a "stranger" to President Abraham Lincoln?

And, do you know why Mary Lincoln changed her mind and now wanted Vinnie Ream to "very sincerely succeed" in her sculpture of President Lincoln? Is there an answer to this question in the second letter?