The chapter details the obstacles artist Vinnie Ream faced in her project, from resistance by Mary Todd Lincoln to accusations of fakery. Despite initial challenges, positive press and influential visitors transformed Vinnie's studio into a popular social hub in Washington D.C. Additionally, controversies surrounding the creation of a statue of Lincoln by Vinnie Ream sparked debates on artistic merit and project funding.
Vinnie Ream became the first woman to be given an art commission by the U.S. Government when she was still a teenager. Part one covers the controversy that arose as she lobbied for that job.
Research:
- “Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction.” National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/anjo/andrew-johnson-and-reconstruction.htm
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Vinnie Ream". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vinnie-Ream
- “The Case of Miss Vinnie Ream, The Latest National Disgrace.” The Daily Phoenix. June 12, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/72225424/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “Clark Mills and the Jackson Equestrian Statue (1853–1856).” The Historic New Orleans Collection. https://www.hnoc.org/virtual/andrew-jackson/clark-mills-and-jackson-equestrian-statue-1853%E2%80%931856
- Cooper, Edward S. “Vinnie Ream, a American Sculptor.” Academy Chicago Publishers. 2004.
- “Curious Developments in the House.” The Abingdon Virginian. June 5, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/584634251/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “The Farragut Statue.” The Portland Daily Press. April 26, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875207459/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
- Fling, Sarah. “Philip Reed Enslaved Artisan in the President's Neighborhood.” White House Historical Association. Dec, 8, 2020. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/philip-reed
- Healy, George Peter Alexander. “Vinnie Ream.” Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/vinnie-ream-10167
- “A Homely Woman’s Opinion of a Pretty One.” Leavenworth Times. Sept. 6, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380121072/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1
- “Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson, 1868.” United States Senate. https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment/impeachment-johnson.htm
- “The Lincoln Statue.” Chicago Tribune. Aug. 21, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/349536265/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “Miss Ream’s Statue.” The Delaware Gazette. Feb. 17, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329775503/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
- “Sequoyah Statue.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/sequoyah-statue
- Sherwood, Glenn V. “Labor of Love.” Sunshine Press Publications. 1997.
- “Who is Miss Vinnie Ream?” The Hartford Courant. Aug. 7, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/369077872/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1
- “Vinnie Ream.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/vinnie-ream
- “Vinnie Ream.” The Hancock Courier. Feb. 4, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/665444405/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “Vinnie Ream.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 15, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875123827/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “Vinnie Ream, the Sculptress.” Times Union. May 16, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/556158224/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
- “Vinnie Ream’s Statue of Lincoln.” The Daily Kansas Tribune. June 11, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/60526282/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1
- “Vinnie Ream: The Truth of the Romance.” Kansas City Weekly Journal. Feb. 24, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1025356568/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1
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