From paintings and statues to coins and newspapers, a woman representing freedom has long been a prominent symbol of American culture. At 151 feet 1 inch (including the pedestal), Lady Liberty is 305 feet tall, or the equivalent of a 30-story building.
French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi designed this world-famous figure of Libertas, holding a torch and a tablet bearing the date July 4, 1776, signifying national abolition of slavery. She is made of copper, which has changed to its current green color through natural oxidation over the years.
The History of the Statue
The Statue of Liberty was a project born out of the shared republican values of France and America. It was first conceived in 1865 by French political thinker Edouard Rene de Laboulaye and sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
Bartholdi drew inspiration from the Roman goddess Libertas and the sun god Sol Invictus (The Unconquered Sun). He also used the Phrygian cap, which was worn by slaves to symbolize freedom. A broken chain and shackle lie at her feet, representing the national abolition of slavery after the American Civil War.
Bringing the project to fruition proved to be a difficult endeavor. Private donors from both the United States and France helped to pay for the statue, but funds ran dry several times. The torch-bearing arm of the figure was displayed in Philadelphia and Madison Square Park to drum up interest, and the statue’s head was exhibited at the Paris World’s Fair in 1878. Finally, New York newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched a fundraising campaign through his paper, which helped to carry the project over the finish line.
The resulting monument stands on Bedloe Island in New York Harbor, just off the southern tip of Manhattan. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and quickly became a symbol of freedom and the United States for generations to come. It’s an icon of the city and a welcoming beacon to those who cruise into the bay, as well as a symbol for immigrants who pass it on their journey into America. Currently, the statue is administered by the National Park Service and is a popular tourist destination for visitors to New York City. It has undergone many renovations over the years, most recently in 1984 and 1986, including replacing the torch and strengthening the outstretched arm.
The Sculptor
Edouard Laboulaye conceived the idea of the Statue of Liberty in 1865 as a monument to the republican principles that France and America shared. He commissioned the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi to create the statue, named Libertas (Roman Goddess of Freedom). The statue was originally scheduled to be finished by the American centennial in 1876. However, the Franco-Prussian War and the expense of the project delayed its completion until 1884.
The sculpture was constructed from copper plates just 2.4mm thick, fixed to an internal steel frame. It was shipped in pieces to New York Harbor aboard the French Navy ship Isere, arriving on Bedloe’s Island.
It was a huge challenge to raise money for the statue and its pedestal. Both countries used art events, auctions, and donations to secure funds. In America, Joseph Pulitzer’s New York newspaper, The World, was an important tool to motivate Americans to contribute to the project.
When the statue reached America, it was a spectacle for many. It was a gift from the people of France in honor of the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. Upon its arrival, the statue became a symbol of the United States and was seen by generations of immigrants as a welcome sign on their journey to a land of opportunity.
The Statue of Liberty is a powerful monument to political freedom. It stands as a symbol of democracy and serves as the unofficial welcome to New York City. In her right hand, the figure holds a torch representing enlightenment. In her left, a tabula ansata bearing the date July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals is displayed, commemorating the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and in her feet are broken chains and shackles, symbolizing the national abolition of slavery following the Civil War.
The Construction
The Statue of Liberty is an impressive example of the revival of colossal statuary that took place in the 19th century, following the tradition of ancient sculpture but with intimations of Art Nouveau. It is a monument to international friendship and the celebration of history, but it also expresses modern aspirations. The interior iron framework is a marvel of engineering, a harbinger of future developments in architecture and construction.
The statue was designed to embody the historic alliance between France and the United States. It was first proposed in 1865 by Edouard Rene de Laboulaye, who worked with sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi to design the figure of Libertas. The name of the statue, which means “Liberty Enlightening the World” reflects this idea.
A trip to America helped Bartholdi decide the best site for the statue. He chose the small island that is now called Liberty Island. The sculptor then returned to France to complete the design.
To make the statue as light as possible, it was constructed of copper sheets hammered into shape and assembled over an iron skeleton built by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (he had designed the skeletal structure for the Eiffel Tower). Eiffel’s expertise was crucial to keeping the colossus upright and stable.
Bringing the Statue of Liberty to life wasn’t easy. Neither France nor the United States had enough money to cover all the costs involved, so the sculpture was financed through a variety of means. Various events, art auctions, donations and public fees helped to bring the project to fruition. Joseph Pulitzer’s fundraising drive was particularly significant.
Bartholdi’s final version of the Statue of Liberty is a majestic female figure standing atop a pedestal. She holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet, the Tabula ansata, with the date of the American Declaration of Independence in Roman numerals on it, JULY IV MDCCLXXVI, in her left. A broken chain and shackle lie at her feet, symbolizing the national abolition of slavery after the Civil War.
The Pedestal
The Statue of Liberty is a monument to the American Revolution, a gift from France on the centenary of America’s Declaration of Independence. It was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and architect Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower), and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.
The statue is a figure of Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, holding an upraised torch and a broken chain and shackle at her feet, in reference to the national abolition of slavery following the Civil War. She also has her right arm outstretched to welcome immigrants to the United States.
It is the most visited national monument in the world and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, which is accessed via ferry departing from Battery Park in Manhattan.
A visit to the pedestal and crown of the Statue of Liberty is one of the most unique experiences that you can have on a trip to New York City. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that can only be accessed with advance booking as the tickets to this experience sell out quickly.
A visit to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty provides an interesting perspective on the iconic structure and will give you some incredible views over New York. From here you will also be able to see the inside of the crown and pedestal which is not something that you can get to on your own. To make the most out of your visit to the Statue of Liberty we recommend booking a tour that includes both visits to the pedestal and the crown. This will save you the hassle of organising your own visits to these two separate locations and you will be able to relax and enjoy your time on the Statue of Liberty.
The Torch
The Statue of Liberty stands atop an island at the entrance to New York Harbor, a hollow colossus constructed of copper sheets over a steel framework. Designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel, this monumental figure was a gift from France on the centenary of American independence and inaugurated in 1886. It has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States ever since.
Building such a massive sculpture was no small task. Its construction required the cooperation of two nations, each responsible for paying for a part of the project and shipping it to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in 350 pieces. Fundraising was a challenge, especially for the Americans, and by 1885 work on the pedestal had nearly stopped because of a lack of money. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer of The World in New York City launched a publicity campaign that brought in enough donations to complete the statue’s pedestal. The flaming torch that she holds in her right hand is no longer an actual flame; it was replaced with a repousse copper sheathed in 24 karat gold that reflects sunlight and is lit at night.
Today, the original torch can be seen in the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. Visitors can climb a steep stairway to the outstretched arm of Lady Liberty for a look, but access to the crown is restricted by ticket sales and has been closed to the public since 1916. A broken chain and shackle rest at her foot, symbolic of freedom from oppression. Officially titled Liberty Enlightening the World, this iconic figure is considered a symbol of freedom and democracy around the globe.
