Architecture of Statue of Liberty
Who Built the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was a grand project built through the combined efforts of France and the United States. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it had contributions from French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who assisted with the internal structure. American architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the pedestal. The idea came from Edouard de Laboulaye, who wanted to honour the Declaration of Independence and the growing friendship between France and the U.S. Bartholdi drew inspiration from the Roman goddess Libertas for the design.
The construction of the statue began in 1876 and was completed in France by 1884. After that, the statue arrived in New York in 1885, disassembled into 350 pieces and packed in 214 crates. On 28th October 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially inaugurated to highlight the impressive Statue of Liberty architecture and mark a significant moment in history.
Constructing the Statue of Liberty
The idea for the Statue of Liberty began with Edouard de Laboulaye. He wanted to give a gift to the United States to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the growing friendship between France and America. Moreover, he was inspired by the end of slavery in the United States. Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi took this idea and decided to create a huge statue, which became the famous Statue of Liberty.
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi started designing Lady Liberty with inspiration from the neoclassical style and Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom. In the late 1860s, he designed a lighthouse for the Suez Canal with a robed female holding a torch that symbolises progress. This idea influenced the architecture of the Statue of Liberty and gave it its iconic look.
The construction of the Statue of Liberty started in 1876 under the guidance of Bartholdi. Its first part was the arm holding the torch that was completed that same year. Two years later, the head and shoulders were completed and displayed at the Paris Universal Exposition. The statue itself was finished in 1884. However, the pedestal took longer to complete due to a shortage of funds.
The funding for the Statue of Liberty architecture was a joint effort between France and America. France was responsible for building the statue, while America built the pedestal. Funds were raised in France through events like entertainment, lotteries, and public fees. The United States did similar activities to fund the pedestal. When funds ran low, Joseph Pulitzer placed an ad in the newspaper, asking readers to donate, which helped raise the required money.
The materials used for building the Statue of Liberty include an iron frame covered with thin sheets of copper. Over time, the statue changed from a shiny reddish-brown to a blue-green colour due to corrosion. The original torch had a copper coating, but it was replaced with a gold leaf-coated torch because water and snow caused corrosion.
The architecture of the Statue of Liberty was made in France and arrived in New York on 17th June 1885. Moving the whole statue was a challenge, so it was taken apart into 350 pieces and packed into 214 crates. These crates were shipped to the US and kept on Bedloe’s Island while the pedestal was being built.
The Statue of Liberty was officially opened on 28th October 1886. A ceremony was organised by the Franco-American Union and New York City. It celebrated everyone who helped build this great statue, including people from France and the United States.
Statue of Liberty | Main Architectural Elements
The head of the Statue of Liberty was inspired by the Roman goddess Libertas. She was a symbol of freedom and appeared on American coins, civic art, and popular culture during the 19th century. Bartholdi used this image to help design the head of the statue, which represents hope and liberty.
Also known as a diadem, the crown is a key part of the Statue of Liberty architecture. It has 7 spikes that stand for the 7 continents and 7 oceans, which shows that liberty is for everyone. The crown also has 25 windows, which represent the gemstones found on Earth.
The torch of the Statue of Liberty was first designed with a solid copper sheet to shine in daylight. But, it was replaced with a gold leaf-coated torch due to corrosion and leaks. The original torch is now displayed inside the Statue of Liberty Museum.
Another main element in the architecture of the Statue of Liberty is the pedestal. It houses a museum with exhibits on the first two floors and an observatory on the 10th floor. The original 1886 torch designed by Bartholdi is displayed here. You can reach the top of the pedestal by climbing 215 steps or using elevators.
The staircase inside the Statue of Liberty is narrow and steep. It has 162 steps, each 9 inches high and 8 inches long. You can see these steps from the top of the pedestal. The staircase in the crown is a spiral one, with one section for going up and the other for coming down. This design helps you move safely and smoothly through the statue.
FAQs
When was the Statue of Liberty built?
The construction of the Statue of Liberty started in 1876. Led by the designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it took almost 10 years to complete. The architecture of the Statue of Liberty was carefully planned and was finished in 1886.
What inspired the design of the Statue of Liberty?
The design of the Statue of Liberty was inspired by the Roman goddess of freedom, Libertas. It gave the statue its theme of liberty and hope. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who created the architecture of the Statue of Liberty, was also inspired by giant statues from ancient times, like the guarded tombs in Nubia.
How tall is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall from the base to the top of the torch. When you include the pedestal and the foundation, it stands at a height of 305 feet.
How long did the construction of the Statue of Liberty take?
The construction of the architecture of the Statue of Liberty took about 10 years to complete. It was started in 1876 in France and finished in 1885 before being shipped to the United States.