The Greater Journey by David McCullough

I simply LOVED this book. It covers the time beginning just after the Civil War, the great minds and artists of the day and their sojourns in the city of light. It was thrilling to me to learn about the people behind the famous canvases like George P.A. Healy who painted this iconic picture of Lincoln in the state dining room. I was fascinated by the incredible efforts and the artistic process of Augustus St. Gaudens who composed the sculpture of Sherman and Victory.
In case you are interested, THESE are some of the other folks in the book which reads like a page turner.