Melting Lincoln Makes a Splash! Wax Statue Goes Viral in DC

The scorching heatwave gripping the US claimed an unexpected victim this weekend – a six-foot-tall wax statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC. The statue, a replica of the iconic Lincoln Memorial, melted under the pressure of soaring temperatures.

A Melty Masterpiece

Located outside an elementary school, the wax Lincoln began to succumb to the heat on Saturday, as temperatures reached a sizzling 37.7 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in Northwest Washington. A now-viral photo captures the hilarious aftermath: a headless, legless Lincoln with a visibly melted right foot.

Social Media Reacts

The internet, of course, had a field day. Sharing the viral photo, user Kirk A Bado perfectly captured the situation: "Maybe a wax Lincoln sculpture wasn't the best idea during DC's first week of summer heat."

The photo quickly amassed over 14.5 million views, sparking a wave of humorous comments. One user joked, "I look the same after 16 hours of work," while another quipped, "Now Americans will believe in climate change." The extreme heat even prompted a comment about the Fahrenheit temperature scale: "Triple digits!! That sounds crazy anywhere in the world where nobody uses Fahrenheit."

Art with a Melting Point

The unique statue was created by Virginia-based artist Sandy Williams IV and installed in February. Part of his "The Wax Monument Series," the Lincoln replica was placed on the historic grounds of Garrison Elementary School, where Camp Barker, a Civil War-era refugee camp for freed slaves, once stood.

Williams IV explained the concept behind his melting monuments to Eastcityart earlier this year: "Traditionally, monuments are made to withstand change. I am interested in showing change and creating monuments that reflect ongoing activity. By using meltable wax, I allow viewers to participate in the transformation of these historical figures."

While the weather may have gotten the best of this particular Lincoln, the viral photo has sparked a conversation about art, history, and even climate change.