Statuary as a Symbol of Freedom
Statue of Liberty Monument
Colloquially named The Statue of Liberty, the monument is actually named La Liberté éclairant le Monde (or Liberty Enlightening the World). Located on Liberty Island in New York, New York, USA, the statue stands at the entrance to New York Harbor, now part of the larger Liberty National Monument.
The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States in 1886 as a gift of the Union Franco-Américaine (or Franco-American Union) in celebration of the United State's centennial year. The statue, conceived in 1868 by French politician Édouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye, was intended to arrive in time for celebrations in 1876. Technical and financial considerations created a decade-long delay. Construction finally began in 1875 and did not finish until 1884 when the statue was finally presented in France.
The statuary project was ambitious at the time, requiring the services of Gustave Eiffel (not yet of namesake tower fame) to construct a framework for the colossal statue. The framework proved far more massive than the "skin" around it. Made of a type of wrought iron alloy called “puddled iron,” severe deterioration later forced replacement with stainless steel. Cast in Norwegian copper, the exterior was shipped in 350 pieces and assembled around the frame. This design allows the entire Statue of Liberty to “sway” as much as 5 inches (12.7cm) in 50mph (22 m/sec) winds.
This work of art and engineering marvel is the combination of a 151 foot (46m) copper statue sitting atop a 154 foot (47m) base, rising a total of 305 feet (93m) from the harbor below. The green color seen today is the patina that naturally forms on copper left to the elements. Massive reconstruction efforts replaced the torch, mended holes in the copper and refinished the Statue of Liberty before rededication in 1986.
The giant statue is rich in symbolism. The seven spikes on her crown represent the seven seas from which immigrants arrive. Broken shackles near her feet symbolize the oppressive conditions of the homelands immigrants leave behind. The date the colonists declared independence, July 4,1776, is inscribed upon the tablet the Statue of Liberty carries. Ezra Lazarus' famous poem, "The New Colossus," was added to a pedestal beneath the statue in 1903.
Over four million people visited the Statue of Liberty in 2005 making it one of North America's most visited attractions. Her position at the entrance to the harbor made it one of the first things people on ocean voyages saw when arriving in New York, notably to emigrate. As such, it has become a powerful symbol of the United States recognized worldwide. The Statue of Liberty is depicted in countless representations internationally.