Frederic Auguste Bartholdi

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi is a French sculptor famous for designing the Statue of Liberty.

Sculptor

August 2, 1834

October 04, 1904

70

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was a renowned French sculptor and painter, most famous for designing the Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes freedom and friendship between France and the United States. He also created other notable monuments, such as the Lion of Belfort in France, the Bartholdi Fountain in Washington D.C., the southern portico of the Palais de Justice in Lyon, and the Lafayette statue in New York City. Bartholdi was a significant figure in the French art world during the late 19th century.

An interesting fact about Bartholdi is that he was briefly imprisoned by the Prussians during the Franco-Prussian War and forced to do manual labor. This experience is believed to have influenced his later works, including the Lion of Belfort monument, which symbolizes French resistance against the Prussian occupation.

Bartholdi’s other notable works and accomplishments include sculpting figures of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, as well as designing the statue of Jean Rapp for the 1855 Universal Exposition in Paris. He also visited the Pyramids and submitted a statue of Jean Rapp for the exhibition, although it was too large to fit through the venue’s doors.

In summary, while Frederic Auguste Bartholdi is best known for designing the Statue of Liberty, he also made significant contributions to the world of sculpture and art through his various works and achievements.