Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty

“Liberty Enlightening the World”

By: Aj

She is the symbol for freedom and one of the most recognizable figures of the United States. Lady liberty celebrates international friendship, peace, and progress between the United States and France. Not only is Lady Liberty an Icon, a gift, and a monument, she is a work of art. She Is a representation of a Goddess. “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, a hollow colossus composed of thinly pounded copper sheets over a steel framework, was designed in Paris by the French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, in collaboration with the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who was responsible for its frame, intended as a gift from France for the centenary of American independence in 1876.”(1.) At this time the idea of “Liberty” was somewhat of a controversial idea, asking for revolution and violence. But in view of the artist and creators it were to be seen as peaceful statue as “Liberty Enlightening the world.”

The Statue Of Liberty is a collection of artistic accomplishments. All portions are rendered in different material composition. The statue consists of three parts. The Copper lady liberty, the inner iron skeletal support system, and the concrete and granite pedestal that both her and the support stands on. My focus will be on the Copper statue of lady liberty itself, but before I discuss her I must elaborate on the support and pedestal construction.

The Steel support structure inside the statue of liberty is designed by Gustave Eiffel. He is the engineer who designed many bridges in France and the famous Eiffel tower. “The general character of his work has been described as of "extraordinary daring, elegance, and refinement" and bearing a "seemingly weightless equipoise," when compared to other structures of the era that rely on a "thick accumulation of elements" for stability.”(5) His strategically designed inner structure used armature bars, saddles, rivets to hold the copper in place. The...