Why was Robert E. Lee called the “Marble Model” at West Point?

Robert E. Lee was nicknamed the "Marble Model" by his fellow cadets during his time at the United States Military Academy. This moniker was a reflection of both their admiration and their envy toward him.1

The nickname stemmed from Lee’s striking appearance and his disciplined demeanor; he stood just under six feet tall with black hair and brown eyes, and he maintained a high class ranking throughout his studies, graduating second in the class of 1829.1