Even in a best-case scenario, it's very, very hard to pull off a wax sculpture without things getting creepy. Don't get me wrong, I think the craftsmanship and artistry some wax sculptors have is incredible. It's just that trying to perfectly replicate a famous figure in sculpture form is always a tricky job, and with wax figures, things can quickly dip into the uncanny valley!
Still, I doubt the artist behind this wax sculpture realized how hilariously horrific their creation would become. A wax recreation of the Lincoln Memorial, installed outdoors in Washington, DC, melted during a recent heatwave - and not only did it melt; it melted in the most darkly humorous way possible!
The head of an Abraham Lincoln wax statue in Washington, D.C., melted away this week after a heat wave in the nation’s capital proved too much for the former president replica to bear. The art installation had been on display since February. #washingtondc #abrahamlincoln
It's not enough that poor President Lincoln was killed by a bullet to the head - his wax recreation had to sustain massive head trauma, too! According to @cbsnews , the outdoor art installation had been on display since February, lasting a formidable four months before Honest Abe succumbed to this week's 90+ degree heatwave in an ironically hilarious fashion.
You might find the idea of an outdoor wax sculpture installation ill-advised, but Abe's meltdown was kind of intentional; it just didn't play out quite the way the artist intended. CulturalDC, the organization that commissioned the statue from artist Sandy Williams IV, wrote: "The 3,000 lb wax sculpture was intended to be burnt like a candle and to change over time, but this wild heat has done a number on Lincoln."
CulturalDC added that the wax's congealing point (where it starts to harden or melt) was 140 degrees, but the record-level heatwave had caused Lincoln to slump "more than ever anticipated." The installation was supposed to stay up till September 30, but it seemed climate change had other plans. At least the staff removed Lincoln's melting head, preserving the president's likeness from any further cranial indignities. Twice is more than enough...
The Internet's Got Jokes
Obviously, the internet wasn't going to leave this comedy gold untouched. Much like the heatwave in Washington, DC , wisecracking commenters brought out the heat! If only I could shout out all my favorites... some were just a little too racy to share here.
"History repeats itself," quipped @goldieeloccs_.
"Most realistic statue of Abraham Lincoln," said @jodyjamechamberlain.
"He just chillin,' he'll be awake soon," @mattryan490 said optimistically.
And just to tie it all in to current events: "He was just watching the debate," joked @tlc90dayrebecca.
Ugh, you know what? Maybe Lincoln has the right idea here. Every time I start thinking about the next election, I want to melt away too...
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