Synopsis

he premiere of Daniel Chester French: American Sculptor, a documentary by Eduardo Montes-Bradley, offers an in-depth portrait of the artist behind some of America’s most enduring public monuments. From the contemplative seated figure of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial to the stirring Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts, French’s works have come to define the nation’s civic landscape and collective memory.

Drawing on rare archival materials, expert commentary, and extensive on-location filming at Chesterwood—French’s home and studio in the Berkshires—the documentary explores the intersection of art, history, and identity at the turn of the 20th century. It situates French not only as a master sculptor but as a pivotal figure in the American Renaissance, whose collaborations with architects and craftsmen transformed ideals of democracy, heroism, and beauty into stone and bronze.

Produced by Heritage Film Project in collaboration with Chesterwood, Daniel Chester French: American Sculptor invites audiences to reconsider the legacy of a man whose creations continue to inspire and resonate across generations.

Awards

Mystic Film Festival