Dr. Abraham Jacobi

Abraham Jacobi, MD 1830 - 1919

Excerpts from  May 10, 2013   Dedication of the bust 

 Creation of Jacobi sculpture 

Observing the process and wonderful outcome of the extremely talented and experienced artist who created our sculpture of Abraham Jacobi was indeed a pleasure.   Virginia Abbott is a true treasure of the Lehigh Valley.  She uses Giudicci sculpture clay. with an oil base, so it does not dry out.  Her clay is identical to the clay used by Daniel Chester French, the distinguished sculptor who created the seated bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln located in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.  Sculptors pass along such clay and instruments only to artists they feel have the talent to continue a legacy of forming powerful enduring creations. 

Before Virginia started molding the clay to be used for the bronze bust she spent a great deal of time in preparation.  Photographs and drawings were collected and analyzed.  Given Jacobi’s prominence and the number of programs as well as a hospital in New York City named in his honor remarkably few images are available.  Jacobi was described as an imposing figure in spite of his small stature and “picturesque” appearance.  He often appeared in cool weather wearing a large black hat with a wide brim over his flowing wavy locks and a long black cape hung from his shoulders.  

Decisions had to be made in terms of the age of Jacobi for the portrayal as well as the position of the head and facial expression.  Virginia read all the historical material she could find and discovered a great deal about his personal life and medical history as well as the times in which he lived.  She learned of his summer residence on Lake George and injuries sustained when he jumped from a window when the house burned to the ground and destroyed thousands of pages of hand written documents and mementos.  My sense is she captured the sense of humor, great intellect, sadness and understanding of Abraham Jacobi which would have been seen by a child looking up into his face.  A man of strong convictions who spoke his mind, consistently pursuing and embracing medical advances, a man who  never shied from advocating in his quiet voice for children, equality and social justice.

John D. Van Brakle, MD